The NBA Draft took place Thursday, and many teams came out winners, while others were not so fortunate.
Here is my analysis and letter grade for each team on draft day.
Atlanta Hawks
Picks: (19th) Jeff Teague, (49th) Sergiy Gladyr
Analysis: Teague is a great fit for a team that needs a point-scorer to replace Mike Bibby. Teague should have an immediate impact for the Hawks. They stretched a bit for Gladyr.
Grade: B+
Boston Celtics
Pick: (58th) Lester Hudson
Analysis: Hudson was a good value pick this late in the draft, however the Celtics didn't have much to work with having the third to last pick as their only draft pick.
Grade: C
Charlotte Bobcats
Picks: (12th) Gerald Henderson, (40th) Derrick Brown
Analysis: Gerald Henderson is an NBA ready player, he should be a franchise player for years to come, he adds the versatility that the Bobcats were looking for. Derrick Brown was also a steal at the 40 spot, he has tremendous potential. They also sold Oklahoma City the rights to the No. 54 pick, Robert Vaden.
Grade: A
Chicago Bulls
Picks: (16th) James Johnson, (26th) Taj Gibson
Analysis: While both were stretches at each position, both could end up being great players. The Bulls needed some big men under the basket, and both players should help.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Cavaliers
Picks: (30th) Christian Eyenga, (46th) Danny Green
Analysis: One of the biggest surprises of the first round came at the end of it, Eyenga received little hype coming into the draft. I don't really understand the pick.... Danny Green was a nice pick late, he could become a great role player.
Grade: D+
Denver Nuggets
Pick: (18th) Ty Lawson
Analysis: Lawson was one of the biggest steals in this draft. Potentially a lottery pick, Lawson slipped to 18 and into the Nuggets lap. The Nuggets sold Houston the rights to the 34th pick, Sergio Llull. They are still in need of another big man to complement Anthony and Billups.
Grade: B+
Dallas Mavericks
Picks: (25th) Rodrique Beaubois (via Oklahoma City), (45th) Nick Calathes (via Minnesota), (56th) Ahmad Nivins (via Portland)
Analysis: Beaubois could end up being a great player, he has the word we all love to use "potential", he is an athletic point-guard who will need to take some time to learn the NBA. I don't see much coming from either Calathes or Nivins.
Grade: C
Detroit Pistons
Picks: (15th) Austin Daye, (35th) DaJuan Summers, (39th) Jonas Jerebko
Analysis: The Pistons made three great picks in the second round in Summers, Jerebko and Chase Budinger. They then traded Budinger, to Houston, which was a silly move. Taking Daye at 15 really makes no sense to me, there was so much better talent left at that point....
Grade: D-
Golden State Warriors
Pick: (7th) Stephen Curry
Analysis: Curry should fit well along side Monta Ellis. The problem with Curry is he struggles big time defensively. With his shooting ability, athleticism and passing abilities he should be a great young talent, just what the Warriors need.
Grade: B+
Houston Rockets
Picks: (32nd) Jermaine Taylor (via Washington), (34th) Sergio Llull (via Denver), (44th) Chase Budinger (via Detroit)
Analysis: The Rockets should of used better management before the draft, coming in with no picks. The front office did however, have an amazing draft day. Having arguably the best 2nd round of any team, the Rockets used great maneuvering tactics to come away with 3 potential NBA ready players.
Grade: A
Indiana Pacers
Picks: (13th) Tyler Hansbrough, (52nd) A.J. Price
Analysis: Hansbrough is a great team player, the kid is the hardest worker you will ever see. However, his size and natural talent will always hold him back. I think he could be an admirable player in the NBA, but at the 13th pick the Pacers could of had a much more NBA ready player. Price will be lucky to make the team...
Grade: D
Los Angeles Clippers
Pick: (1st) Blake Griffin
Analysis: Griffin was the consensus number one. He is the most NBA ready player in this draft. He should have an immediate impact on a team that desperately needs a leader. Griffin may be the franchise player that turns the Clippers around. His dominance in the NCAA has a very good chance of carrying over to the NBA.
Grade: A+
Los Angeles Lakers
Picks: (59th) Chinemelu Enolu
Analysis: The defending champs sold the 29th pick, Toney Douglas, to the Knicks. Then they traded the 42nd pick, Patrick Beverly, to the Heat for a future second- rounder and cash. They really dident upgrade at all with Enolu, ive never been one to like trading for cash....
Grade: D-
Memphis Grizzlies
Picks: (2nd) Hasheem Thabeet, (27th) DeMarre Carroll, (36th) Sam Young
Analysis: Thabeet was a great pick for the Grizzlies. They were in desperation of a presence under the basket and they got their man. Carrol and Young will both compete for playing time and could be good off the bench this season. Grade:
Grade: A-
Miami Heat
Picks: (42nd) Patrick Beverley, (60th) Robert Dozier
Analysis: Neither are flashy picks... The Heat shouldent expect anything special here. They drafted the positions they needed but neither Beverley or Dozier should have a big impact. The Heat should of really tried to trade into the first round.
Grade: C-
Milwaukee Bucks
Picks: (10th) Brandon Jennings, (41st) Jodie Meeks
Analysis: Jennings was a great value pick at 10. He's got the potential to develop into one of the top point guards in the league, his stock was hurt by his decision to skip college and go play in Europe. Meeks was picked more for his name then talent, he was a stretch even at 41.
Grade: B
Minnesota Timberwolves
Picks: (5th) Ricky Rubio (via Washington), (6th) Jonny Flynn, (28th) Wayne Ellington, (47th) Henk Norel
Analysis: The storyline right now is Rubio may go back and play a few more years in Spain. Still at 5, Rubio was a steal. He is only 18-years old and could be a great talent for the next 20 years. While Flynn is small in size, he still has an incredible shot and positive attitude. Along with Ellington, the Timberwolves may have improved their team as much as any other team in this draft. The only thing that was a bit confusing was taking two guards back to back, it should be interesting to see how that plays out.
Grade: A-
New Jersey Nets
Pick: (11th) Terrence Williams
Analysis: For starters, the Vince Carter blockbuster isn't part of this grade. Williams has the potential to be a nice pick, however for a team looking for a shooter, you have to wonder why they didn't take Gerald Henderson.
Grade: C
New Orleans Hornets
Picks: (21st) Darren Collison, (43rd) Marcus Thornton
Analysis: Why draft Collison when he is the same type of player as Chris Paul... That one does not make sense to me. Thornton is a nice shooter and should add some decent depth
Grade: C-
New York Knicks
Pick: (8th) Jordan Hill
Analysis: The Knicks were really hoping to land either Curry or Flynn, and so were their fans, but Hill is a great value pick at 8. The Knicks are in need of help at the forward position. He could end up being a great player for years to come for them.
Grade: A
Oklahoma City Thunder
Picks: (3rd) James Harden, (24th) B.J. Mullens, (54th) Robert Vaden (via Charlotte)
Analysis: The Thunder came into the night with two open spots in their future starting lineup: shooting guard and center. So they filled them. Harden was a bit of a strech at 3 but could be a great asset for the Thunder. B.J. Mullens should also find his way right into the lineup.
Grade: A-
Orlando Magic
Picks: None
Analysis: Although they did not have any picks, getting Vince Carter was well worth it. So although, I cannot grade them on the draft, the move was a great upgrade.
Grade: N/A
Philadelphia 76ers
Pick: (17th) Jrue Holiday
Analysis: Holiday was expected to go much higher then 17. He was a steal at 17, and could help a team desperate for three-point shooting ability. The 76ers walk away with a great pick in Holiday. He has all the tools to be a good guard in the NBA. Hopefully he can put aside his struggles at times with UCLA.
Grade: A-
Phoenix Suns
Picks: (14th) Earl Clark, (48th) Taylor Griffin, (57th) Emir Preldzic
Analysis: The Suns got a nice pick in Clark, many were considering him a top 10 pick. I was scratching my head with the Griffin pick, it must of been purely because of the last name....
Grade: B-
Portland Trail Blazers
Picks: (22nd) Victor Claver (via Dallas), (31st) Jeff Pendergraph (via Sacramento), (33rd) Dante Cunningham, (55th) Patrick Mills
Analysis: All great value picks here... Patrick Mills was an absoulte steal at 55, if it wasent for his injury he would have been a top pick.
Grade: A-
Sacramento Kings
Picks: (4th) Tyreke Evans, (23rd) Omri Casspi, (38th) Jon Brockman (via Portland)
Analysis: Evans at 4 seemed to be a huge stretch, with Flynn and Rubio still on the board. Evans should be an upgrade for a Kings team who needs just about everything. Overall they can expect another last place finsh this year.
Grade: D+
San Antonio Spurs
Picks: (37th) DeJuan Blair, (51st) Jack McClinton, (53rd) Nando De Colo
Analysis: Blair falling to 37 had my jaw dropping, the Spurs got a huge upgrade here, he could start right away. McClinton and De Colo should also both make the team and be a great presense off the bench. The only thing the Spurs were missing was a first rounder.
Grade: A
Toronto Raptors
Pick: (9th) DeMar DeRozan
Analysis: DeRozan seemed to be a strech. This was all about the Raptors looking for the best position player avaiable... He may still be a few years away from being NBA ready.
Grade: B-
Utah Jazz
Picks: (20th) Eric Maynor, (50th) Goran Suton
Analysis: The Jazz failed to address their need for help at forward and took two players with very limited potential. Both will most likely be career bench players.
Grade: C-
Washington Wizards
Picks: None
Analysis: After watching Rubio go in the 5 spot that they traded, they may be regretting that trade... Though Miller and Foye could be nice additions.
Grade: C-
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