2008 NBA Draft Preview-Part 3

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 3 of 6 parts breaking down all the NBA teams. Each part will include 5 teams, and this one includes the: Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Miami Heat. 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.

The Boston Celtics should learn from the mistakes that the Miami Heat made after their championship run of 1996, and that is holding on to old players can land you in the draft lottery just 2 years later. Memphis and Indiana are perennial bottom dwellers in the NBA these days.

The Los Angeles teams are once again polar opposites as the Lakers went to the NBA Finals and Pau Gasol fell into their laps midseason, while the Clippers found themselves dealing with injuries, and find themselves picking 7th in the draft.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have had some of the worst luck with injuries and legal trouble as any team in the league. Power forward/center Jermaine O’Neal, and point guard Jamaal Tinsley have missed extended time over the past 2 years and the Pacers have not been able to achieve much continuity during this time. This up and down line-up pattern of “when will I play?” has hurt the young talented players they have such as Danny Grainger although he performed well last year, and Shawne Williams.

The Pacers are set to pick 11th in Thursday NBA Draft, and depending on the contract status of last years back-up Andre Owens, they made need to pick up a point guard because Tinsley has been unreliable. They also may want to look at acquiring a shooting guard with range as they have none on the roster. They have athletes that can slash and hit the occasional jumper but no one to extend the floor.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers found themselves outside of the playoff race for the 2nd straight year, finishing with a dismal 23-59 record. As with many teams that look like they are playing pick-up basketball, the Clippers suffered from injuries all year. Shaun Livingston did not play a game as he recovered from a severe knee injury from the previous season. The Clippers have solid scorers in Corey Maggette, Tim Thomas, and Chris Kaman, but they lack a true superstar. At this point the Clippers may lose starting power forward Elton Brand to free agency.

The Clippers have the 7th, and 35 picks in the draft. Although they don’t have pieces they can afford, it would be worthwhile to see if they could reach one of the top 2 spots and get Michael Beasley. For years the Clippers owner Donald Sterling has low balled this team to a losing record, but if they want to compete he is going to have to put all his chips on the table and stop letting his star players go.

Los Angeles Lakers

The most important quote in relation to the Lakers for next year is Kobe Bryant stating that “I am very comfortable with the team going into next year.” This was a far cry from the dram that unfolded last summer. In addition to adding Pau Gasol midseason, the Lakers look forward to bringing back their promising young center Andrew Bynum. Most of their key players are signed and locked up for at least 2 years, promising extended success that they enjoyed this year. 

The Lakers hold the 58th pick in the NBA draft, and it will most likely be a player that will not make the roster, or be an international player that will not be coming over. The roster currently holds the maximum 15 players. The Lakers are stocked up at every position, but the rumor mill is stirring that the New Jersey Nets may be interested in acquiring Lamar Odom for Richard Jefferson, and it doesn’t seem like a bad deal for either team.

Memphis Grizzlies 

The Memphis Grizzlies are an utter mess at this point, and went on a fire sale last year as they virtually gave away Pau Gasol to the Lakers. As with many teams in the NBA, the Grizzlies have had a hard time getting a consistent play from their young guys. They are rebuilding but have young guards in Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gay.

The Grizzlies need to find a center with their 5th pick, or with the 28th. I checked out the Grizzlies online workouts and they had a number of big men in for a look. So it is pretty evident that they were looking at big men to fill the shoes left by Gasol. It is also clear that they are not comfortable with what Kwame Brown and Darko Milicic bring to the table.

Miami Heat

The Heat and Dwayne Wade have definitely fallen hard since the championship year of 2006. The team is undeniably different, with Shaquille O’Neal being shipped out west for Shawn Marion. And a number of the aging players that stayed around for the following season post-championship have bee replaced by no-names and complimentary players. Pat Riley has stepped down, and they have a first year coach in Erik Spoelstra. The years forced themselves into rebuilding by avoiding the facts and letting players stick around way past when they should have.

They have the 2nd, and 52nd picks in the draft and as they have glaring needs in the front court, I am sure they would like for the Chicago Bulls to draft Derrick Rose first, and let Michael Beasley fall to them. They might also be alright with Rose as they need a point guard as well, because I do not know if Chris Quinn and Marcus Banks are the long-term solution. This is a 3 year project for the crew down on South beach.