The NBA Draft is in the books. As is the case every year, some teams became better, some stayed about the same and others became, much, much worse. The draft is traditionally a time for underachieving teams to add players to their roster and avoid returning to the lottery the following offseason. Unfortunately, some GM’s (I’m looking at you Mr. Jordan) have shown little or no interest in the process. These five teams listed can add better pieces through free agency and trades, but as they have shown in the past, personnel moves are not their strong point.
5. Memphis Grizzlies
PG: Mike Conley Jr. SG: OJ Mayo.
SF: Rudy Gay. PF: Antoine Walker.
C: Darko Milicic.
It could be a lot worse. Acquiring OJ Mayo adds some credibility to the team. Rudy Gay was very good last year as well. From there however, it’s all downhill. Conley was just a rookie last year, but did not show NBA starter ability. At 6′1”, 170 lbs, he may never be able to defend at the NBA level. If he does not pan out, the Grizzlies do have three backups. So sit tight, Javaris Crittenton, Kyle Lowry and Marko Jaric’s awful contract, you may get your chance. Antoine Walker is fat and averaged 3.6 boards a game last year. And then there is the potty mouthed bust of the century, Darko Milicic, who took that wonderful distinction from teammate Kwame Brown. This is easily the worst front court in the NBA.
4. Sacramento Kings
PG: Beno Udrih. SG: Kevin Martin.
SF: Fransisco Garcia. PF: Mikki Moore.
C: Brad Miller.
I have listed Garcia as the starting SF amid reports that Ron Artest will be opting out of his contract. Well, at least Kevin Martin can score in bunches. He’s going to have to. The only other NBA level starter on this team is Brad Miller. Beno Udrih, who was released by the Spurs, should not be starting for anyone. I like Francisco Garcia as a sixth or seventh guy, certainly not as a second scoring option. Mikki Moore, the former NBDL All-Star, should be an energy guy off the bench. GM Geoff Petrie’s moves have been atrocious the last two years, adding Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson in the draft and trading Mike Bibby for megabust Shelden Williams.
3. Indiana Pacers.
PG: TJ Ford. SG: Mike Dunleavy.
SF: Danny Granger. PF: Troy Murphy.
C: Rasho Nesterovich.
Larry Bird has shaped this roster in his image. His image being a white guy. While this team will probably make the playoffs in the East, they will get eaten alive by any physical team. TJ Ford is 5′10″, can’t shoot and is a flagrant foul away from a career ending injury. Mike Dunleavy did average 19 ppg last year, but also took 14 shots a game. If your team relies on Mike Dunleavy to take 14 shots a game, then your team sucks. Danny Granger is terrific and I wish my team had him. Troy Murphy has heavily regressed from the 14-10 player he was three years ago and Rasho Nesterovich might be the worst starter in the league. Then again, Nesterovich is just a place holder for eventual (ducking a punch from Harvey) Super Stiff Roy Hibbert.
For the top spot, we have a tie…
1a. New York Knicks.
PG: Stephon Marbury. SG: Jamal Crawford.
SF: Danilo Gallinari. PF: Zach Randolph.
C: Eddy Curry.
There are two qualifiers regarding the Knicks. First, there is more talent here than on many NBA teams. However, the talent in overshadowed by the player’s incredible flaws. which is that they comically mismatched for Coach Mike D’Antoni’s style. Secondly, over the next two years, cap room is more important than winning. The Knicks will gladly take on lesser players now if it means signing LeBron, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh in 2010. Marbury has certainly had his problems, though the Knicks have to hold on to him all year to clear his monster cap figure. Zach Randolph is a tremendous talent who is just too much of an asshole to realize it. Eddy Curry can be a dominant offensive player in the paint but still seems completely unwilling to jump for a rebound or play defense. Crawford and Gallinari should fit very well in D’Antoni’s system. Look for fan favorite David Lee to be traded for an experienced point guard.
1b. New Jersey Nets.
PG: Devin Harris. SG: Vince Carter.
SF: Bobby Simmons. PF: Yi Jianlian.
C: Brook Lopez.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the softest lineup in the history of the NBA. I know there is talent here, but it is like the Nets went out of their way to construct a team that would softer than the Liberty. Brook Lopez loves Mickey Mouse, Sex and the City and Michael Jackson. It is not a steal when it is obvious why a pick fell to you. Yi, a 7 foot three point shooter won’t provide Brook with the defensive cover his brother did. Bobby Simmons has been awful since hoodwinking his way into his current contract. Vince Carter, who dogged his way out of Toronto, is a disgrace. When 180 pound Devin Harris is the toughest player in your starting lineup, you have problems. This is what happens when you indiscriminately trade your two best players for the first offer you get. And for those fans who say the Nets are just clearing cap to land LeBron might want to check out some of the countless lawsuits aimed at keeping them out of Brooklyn. No Brooklyn, no LeBron.
