2008 First Round Pick: Brook Lopez, Center, Stanford. A gem with the tenth pick. Played in all 82 games, averaging 13 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. A lock as a starter for a good six or seven more years.
Departures: Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell (can opt-out), Jarvis Hayes (team option).
What Could Have Been: Instead of having the Kobe/LeBron debate, we could be having a Kobe/Vince Carter debate. 6-foot-6, all the offensive abilities you can ask for and in my opinion, the best dunker in NBA history. The problem with Vince was his lack of passion for the game and his unwillingness to play defense. Last season, he showed a little more commitment on D, but he is hitting 32 now.
Needs: A small forward, which would move Carter back to his natural shooting guard position, or a shooting guard, with Carter staying at the three. Devin Harris has emerged as a top five NBA point guard, so there is no need to take a point here. A power forward would also be nice here if one is available.
The Pick: Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Duke. An athletic scoring presence from the wing coming from the Carolinas, like Carter. He was really the only consistent scorer on the Duke roster last season and he has the ability to carry on offense, even though he won’t be asked to in the pro’s, yet. He anticipates shots well and will leave his man to contest a shot. Put him with Harris/Carter/Lopez and all you need is a power forward and a sixth man to have a solid playoff contender. They need to get this team built for now if they want to win with Carter before he ages too much. Or, they could trade Carter.
Other Options: Could be a reach here, but Tyler Hansbrough is a hard-working power forward.
Other Draft Previews:
12. Charlotte Bobcats – Earl Clark, Small Forward, Louisville
13. Indiana Pacers – Brandon Jennings, Point Guard, Italy
14. Phoenix Suns – Austin Daye, Small Forward, Gonzaga
15. Detroit Pistons – B.J. Mullens, Center, Ohio State
16. Chicago Bulls – James Johnson, Small Forward, Wake Forest
17. Philadelphia 76ers – Jeff Teague, Point Guard, Wake Forest
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – Jrue Holiday, Point Gaurd, UCLA
19. Atlanta Hawks – Eric Maynor, Point Guard, Virginia Commonwealth
20. Utah Jazz – Tyler Hansbrough, Power Forward, UNC
21. New Orleans Hornets – Terrence Williams, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, Louisville
22. Dallas Mavericks – Chase Budinger, Shooting Guard, Arizona
23. Sacramento Kings – Omri Casspi, Small Forward, Israel
24. Portland Trail Blazers – Ty Lawson, Point Guard, UNC
25. Oklahoma City Thunder – Sam Young, Small Forward, Pittsburgh
26. Chicago Bulls – Darren Collison, Point Guard, UCLA
27. Memphis Grizzlies - DaJuan Summers, Small Forward, Georgetown
28. Minnesota Timberwolves – Toney Douglas, Guard, Florida State
29. Los Angeles Lakers – Marcus Thorton, Guard, LSU
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – DaMarre Carroll, Forward, Missouri
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]
[...] New Jersey Nets – Gerald Henderson, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, [...]