#6 - Ekpe Udoh - Warriors. I'll be honest. I know nothing about this kid other than he's 6'10, 240, and can play defense. Sounds exactly like what the Warriors need. The problem? He's injured and will miss 2-3 months of the season. He has some long term potential as the Warriors PF though as he would be the much needed defensive stopper beside David Lee. Not sure he gets nominated on draft night but he could be a good pick up in January.
#7 -Greg Monroe - Pistons. I really like this kid. He's apparently a bit like Lamar Odom but a bit more physical. I don't think he's as fluid as Odom is but he will have the chance to play immediately in Detroit. His competition?? Ben Wallace. Jason Maxiell. Charlie V. Jonas Jerebko. So Monroe is going to get some minutes and I expect him to be the starting Center for the Pistons for many years to come. A sure fire pick on JBL auction night.
#8 - Al-Farouq Aminu - Clippers. Another player I don't know much about. Because the Clippers don't have much talent at the SF position (sorry Ryan Gomes) I think Aminu has an opportunity to play some minutes this season. He's not going to be a dynamic scorer but I think he could be a defensive stopper and a good player. He should be drafted in the JBL draft.
#9 - Gordon Hayward - Jazz. I completely get this pick from the Jazz perspective. Hayward's white and he's going to Utah - perfect. The Jazz have lost Brewer, Korver, Mathews, and Boozer this summer so they need some players. The aging Raja Bell can't play 35-40 minutes at SG so the kid is going to have to play. I think he will be a complete hit or miss prospect. He'll either be great or turn out to be Joe Alexander. That being said, I think the Utah system is absolutely perfect for him. I can see him ending up in Arctic this season.
#10 - Paul George - Pacers. As much sense as the Jazz pick made, the Pacers pick is the exact opposite. Why did the Pacers select a SF when they have a guy named Danny Granger? Don't get me wrong, I'm all about selecting the 'best player available' when the talent is unquestionable but was George really the best player left at #10? George could be great but I just don't see him being an impact Fantasy player as long as Granger is around. Unless something changes in Indiana, I don't see him being selected on JBL draft night.
Some other significant picks...
#11 - Cole Aldrich - Thunder. I like this pick for them. They are weakest in the middle and having Aldrich, Ibaka, and Krstic should allow them to find the perfect man in the middle. Ultimately, I think they want Aldrich and Ibaka to share the middle as both big men can play defense and rebound. Aldrich is a great shot-blocker and he's likely to be picked on JBL auction night.
#12 - Xavier Henry - Grizzlies. He's still unsigned but apparently he's a great offensive talent. The reason I like the pick for the Grizzlies is their real lack of bench depth. He has a chance to be the team's 6th man and maybe even score in double digits - assuming he gets signed. In the next 6 weeks he needs to get signed and have a good pre-season. If that happens, he'll have a home on JBL draft night.
#13 - Ed Davis - Raptors. Watching his highlight package doesn't scream Karl Malone. However, he's on a Raptors team whose starting PF is Amir Johnson. Conclusion? Ed Davis could be a fantasy factor this year. He's big. He plays defense and he hustles. That could be enough to get some minutes this season. I don't see him as a star but he could be a good role player this season.
There are some other rookies that I like (Patrick Patterson and Larry Sanders) but find themselves in tough to get any playing time. There is sure to be some other rookies make a name for themselves in October in the pre-season so this list will certainly be expanded.
Happy Labour Day everyone. The kids are back to school tomorrow!
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