2008 NBA Draft Preview-Part 1

The 2008 NBA draft is set to begin on Thursday night, June 26 in New York City. As always there are the big prospects that know they will be drafted in the lottery. This years front runners are Michael Beasley from Kansas State University, Derrick Rose from Memphis University, and O.J. Mayo from USC, all were spectacular freshman this year. Because of the NBA rule stating that players must play at least one year of college basketball before entering the draft, these players who probably would have entered right out of high school were forced to go to their respective universities where each of them shined this year. This is deep draft with a few potential superstars available, and definitely some solid pro’s in the mix.

Rather than break down where each prospect will go, I will go through each team and break down their rosters, and look at their needs. This is part 1 of 6 parts breaking down all the NBA teams. Each part will include 5 teams, and this one includes the: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. I am no mock draft guru, and will never be because some teams draft based on need, others draft based on best talent available. So instead of trying to predict the unpredictable, I will detail the best route.

I am of the mindset that if a good player is not available for the spot that you need then trade down. I firmly believe that if you draft based on the most talented available, then you end up with pieces that don’t fit, and your long-term success is threatened. The same philosophy goes to drafting a less talented player higher than you usually would because you need a serviceable player in that spot. The issue with drafting need if the player is not a good value for that pick is you have to still pay that player that spots money because the NBA has slotted rookie salaries.

Being that there are no dominant teams in the NBA, there is always room for improvement no matter what last year brought you. Even as you look at this year’s NBA champion, the Boston Celtics, although they took home the trophy they are an aging team. In a sport that is dominated by world class athletes it is necessary to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to rising ages on your team. Then conversely you have he Atlanta Hawks, that are one of the youngest teams in the NBA right now, it would not hurt them to pick up some experience through free agency. 

The Charlotte Bobcats, are still in the expansion team beginnings and it will take them a few years to upgrade their team, which they have been doing steadily through the draft.
The Cleveland Cavaliers led by Lebron James have been strapped on James’ back for the past few years, and it is time to bring in a decent sidekick that can lend a helping hand when needed. The Chicago Bulls are a team in need of solid direction. No one would argue that they are lacking for talent, but yet they do fall into the category of teams that the draft based on talent, as there has been no rhyme of reason to the high draft picks they have received since Michael Jordan retired.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks almost stunned the world by pushing the eventual champion Boston Celtics to their limits in the first round of the playoffs. They made great strides this year as their young talent took big strides in developing an identity. Led by veteran Joe Johnson, and 3rd year player Josh Smith they were given 2 reliable scorers heading into the prime of their careers. After drafting Al Horford, and teaming him with 4th year center Zaza Pachulia the hawks showed a toughness that NBA teams need to make it deep into the playoffs. After a 37-45 regular season record, they did not just stumble into the playoffs, and bow out like a young team might. Instead they were an energized hard nosed team that showed incredible promise for what their future may hold. After passing on point guards in years past, they drafted Acie Law IV in the draft last year, and a midseason trade with the Sacramento Kings to bring Mike Bibby to Atlanta they are set at that position for years to come.

The Hawks hold no picks in this years draft because of the Mike Bibby trade, but for them that is not exactly a bad thing. They have plenty of young talent with those already mentioned as well as up and coming forwards Marvin Williams and Josh Childress. Since the draft would only make them younger, it is really a good thing that they do not have to choose this year. With only 13 of the 15 roster spots being occupied, the one thing I would add to the team is an experienced front court player with playoff experience similar to what the Boston Celtics did with PJ Brown this year. With a team so young they could use a veteran that has been through the playoff trenches. The Hawks need to continue to take steps forward this coming season including a more consistent regular season, and advancing beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Boston Celtics

After winning their 17th NBA championship, have the years of a dynasty returned to New England? To be truthful about the previous question, no, if their roster does not experience some turnover this offseason. Although they have the Big 3 of Kevin Garnett(12 years), Paul Pierce(9 years), and Ray Allen(11 years), their best days are behind them, but if surrounded by the proper pieces they could win a couple of more championships before their careers are over. If Danny Ainge fails to retool their team, it is a high possibility that they could end up like the Miami Heat of a few years ago. 

It is highly likely that Sam Cassell and PJ Brown will not be brought back, or just retire as they are both 38 years old. Although they played a large role in winning the ring, keeping players around just for loyalties sake can end up in a wasted season. The Celtics hold the 30th and 60th picks in the draft, and have a full roster of 15 players, so something has to give. Either players will be released, their 2nd round draft pick will go unsigned, or they will draft foreign players that have no chance of coming over in the next few years. The latter has been used in the recent years by many NBA teams needing to protect roster spots. 

The bright spot for the Celtics despite losing the experience is that their role players are one year more experienced, and will have been battle tested in the Finals. These players include Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis, Kendrick Perkins, and Leon Powe. Each one of these players need to work hard to add elements to there games. Rondo needs to add to his outside jump shot, Glen Davis needs to stay in shape, Perkins needs to add a little to his offensive repertoire so he can score outside of the paint, and Leon Powe also needs to get consistent on his outside jumper. All of these players have talent, and play defense, they just need to add polish to their games. The Celtics should look to add a true point guard to play behind Rondo. Eddie House was serviceable along with Cassell, but Boston needs another distributor, not another shooter. The Celtics also might want to start looking towards the future as far as finding a combination shooting guard/small forward, as time is going to be limited on Ray Allen’s career as injuries have mounted lately. This will be a hard task for them to achieve as they have the last pick in each of the 2 rounds. Quite possibly Danny Ainge could get creative again like he did last summer.

Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats possess the 9th and 38th picks in the draft, have a new coach in Larry Brown, and are going into their 5th season of existence. Michael Jordan is in the front office in charge of basketball operations, and basically all basketball decisions. They are not totally without talent but yet they are still behind the curve with most teams in the league as far as overall talent. They have young talent such as Raymond Felton, Jason Richardson, Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, Gerald Wallace, and Sean May. Sean May however has not been able to stay healthy through either of his first 2 seasons, and it will also be a long road back as he had microfracture surgery on his right knee that caused him to miss all of last season. He has also had issues with conditioning, and his weight. 

Charlotte ended last year with a 32-50 record, which is one win less than they finished with 2006-07. After firing Sam Vincent after 1 year, they hired NBA vagabond Larry Brown. He is a renowned teacher of the game of basketball. His experience should help the young players on this team improve on the court. The Bobcats appear to have stars that are willing to learn, and accept teaching. They also have a nice mix of veterans and young players.

The Bobcats have a few needs that are they are very capable of addressing in the draft. They definitely need to get another shooter as they need someone to add with Matt Carroll, and get a back-up point guard for Raymond Felton. There is no other point guard on the bench for the Bobcats, Earl Boykins is the closest thing to that, but he is more of 5’5” shooting guard. The Charlotte Bobcats are not close, but they are not that far away either.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a team in transition after firing their coach Scott Skiles mid way through last season, executing a large midseason trade, and front office disagreement.
After struggling their way through the entire season, the Bulls ended in with a 33-49 record, and missed the playoffs. Dramatically they won the first pick in the NBA draft lottery with only a 1.7% chance of receiving it. High draft picks are no stranger to the Chicago Bulls as the playoff runs have been sparse since Michael Jordan retired after the 1998 season. 

Currently it seems as if own Jerry Reinsdorf, and GM John Paxon have a conflict in philosophy. Rumors about this conflict have swirled around as it took the Bulls the longest to settle on ahead coach as candidate after candidate was either eliminated or dropped out voluntarily. Finally it was decided that first year coach Vinny Del Negro would lead the team. Based upon the past drafts it is hard to tell what the identity of the Bulls is, as there are many talented players, but at times it seems as if they do not fit well. The Bulls have been one of those teams that has drafted best talent available as opposed to drafting for the need of the team.

One glaring need for the Bulls is a polished offensive post presence. Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, and rookie Aaron Gray are all very raw on the offensive end, and are not ready to dominate a game on the offensive end of the floor. Starting power forward Drew Gooden is serviceable in the post sometimes, but is very inconsistent. The Bulls also posses the 39th pick as well. The first pick is widely believed to go to either Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose. The Bulls looked to be on the cusp 2 years ago, and all it will take is a good or bad draft to push them either way right now as they dangle in limbo.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs hold the 19th pick in the draft and while you look at the team as a whole, they are not a badly put together team as they finally filled the need to get a shooter with Wally Szczerbiak. But in their trade with the Chicago Bulls they also picked up 2 aging front court players in Joe Smith and Ben Wallace. Because of injuries, it also seems as if 9th year center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is near the tail end of his production. They do however have firecracker Anderson Varejao. 

Lebron James is good enough to will a team to the NBA Final almost singlehandedly, but a little help never hurt anyone. Going back to 2006-07 Daniel Gibson began to show signs of being that guy, but injuries have slowed him down. This year late in the regular season, and into the playoffs, Delonte West also showed he was not afraid to step up and take the big shot when needed. This is one of the hardest teams to discern what they actually need, you know they need something to get past that next step, but it is hard to pin point exactly what it is. 

They are probably in need of a true point guard more than anything as Delonte West is more of a combo guard than a true distributor. If they could pick up another slashing small forward they could afford to make Lebron a point-forward. They are one more year into it, and it is basically all about getting people comfortable around James. And I think this may be the year that Mike Brown comes into his own as coach.