c2c basketball

The 2008 NBA Draft is right around the corner.  And what does that mean for c2c?  Well, actually a whole lot.  Because we’re a year behind it actually gives us a period to evaluate prospects in real life as to what they’re going to be doing in the NBA.  At least a little bit.

Check out what I think are going to be the top impact rookies and some gambles for teams like myself who are bound to be awful next year.

Declared With An Agent aka You Better Be Good
D.J. Augustin – PG – Sophomore – Texas
07-08 Stats:  19.2 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.9 rpg, 1.2 spg
Analysis:  A lot of people are questioning Augustin’s decision to enter the draft with such a loaded field.  He’s a smaller point guard which may hurt in his career, but each year in college he got better.  I don’t know that he is the franchise point guard teams covet, but he is definitely a great back-up to have in order to build your franchise.

Jerryd Bayless – PG/SG – Freshman – Arizona
07-08 Stats:  19.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg. 4 apg
Analysis:  Doesn’t really have a position ala Ben Gordon.  So, I wouldn’t really look to him to lead your team, but he can certainly fill it up.  But if you need scoring, Bayless might be your man.

Derrick Caracter – PF – Sophomore – Louisville
07-08 Stats:  8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Analysis:  Was a huge recruit out of N.J., but just couldn’t stay out of trouble.  The talent is there, but sort of in the Ricky Davis role of a team cancer minus the ability.  I wouldn’t really look to draft him unless you had a late second round pick.

Chris Douglas-Roberts – SG/SF – Junior – Memphis
07-08 Stats:  18.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg
Analysis:  Athlete.  Not quite Rudy Gay because I don’t know if CDR has the ability to take over an NBA game.  Scouts say he has a small frame and sometimes is a ‘me’ guy.  Regardless, CDR is a talent and I’m sure will fit in nicely for some teams.

Michael Beasley – PF – Freshman – Kansas State
07-08 Stats:  26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.3 spg, 1.6 bpg
Analysis:  Not much to really say here.  Depending on the team’s need, Beasley is going 1 or 2.  He’s just a flat out stud.

C.J. Giles – C – Junior – Oregon State
07-08 Stats:  6.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg
Analysis:  Has a big body and possibly the talent (some say first round talent).  But if there was a way to have a “crazy/lazy” rating in the game, Giles would get it.  He was kicked off the Kansas team in 2006 and then was kicked off the Oregon State team mid-season this year.  Brilliant.

Eric Gordon – SG – Freshman – Indiana
07-08 Stats:  20.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg
Analysis:  A pure scorer, but not much else.  Ben Gordon is the perfect comparison, but with a higher ceiling.

Roy Hibbert – C – Senior – G’Town
07-08 Stats:  13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Analysis:  Nothing more than a bench player IMO.  Too soft and doesn’t rebound well for such a large human being.  I’m sure he’ll go high in the draft, but I don’t want any part of his lard large ass.

Brook Lopez – C – Sophomore – Stanford
07-08 Stats:  19.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg
Analysis:  Not really a cornerstone at center, but he sure as hell can be an every day starter.  He will make someone in the Top 10 very happy with his output.

Robin Lopez – C – Sophomore – Stanford
07-08 Stats:  10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 bpg
Analysis:  A less polished version of Brook on the offensive end.  But, people are saying he can develop that end of his game.  Time will tell.  Either way, very worth of a first round pick.  Someone with two firsts should draft both of the Lopez brothers because that would be awesome.  Then you can get the Collins twins too!

O.J. Mayo – SG – 20 yr Old Freshman – USC
07-08 Stats:  20.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.3 apg
Analysis:  Look, the talent is there.  But, I don’t know that I’d take him on my team.  Somewhat of a mental case.  Also, don’t let the fact that he is a freshman.  He’s at least a year older than anyone in his class.  So, just take that into consideration.  Either way he can score.  I see him as a Jamal Crawford-type.

JaVale McGee – C – Sophomore – Nevada
07-08 Stats:  14.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg
Analysis:  Behind Lopez, might be the next Center who is taken (Unless Jordan – below – signs).  Either way he should be a solid starter for teams if not a great back-up to have coming off the bench for any team.  A sure-fire first round pick.

Anthony Randolph – PF – Freshman – LSU
07-08 Stats:  15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg
Analysis:  I know that I’m going to have a high lottery pick.  At least I should.  I want Beasley, but Randolph makes my nipples hard.

Derrick Rose – PG – Freshman – Memphis
07-08 Stats:  14.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.5 rpg
Analysis:  Just like Beasley, depending on what you need, Rose is either 1 or 2.

Brandon Rush – SG/SF – Junior – Kansas
07-08 Stats:  13.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.1 apg
Analysis:  He’s definitely a first round pick, but I don’t know if I project him as a starter.  He’s going to sure up your bench and add depth to your team.  I think a playoff team with a mid first round pick will be very happy to add Rush to their rotation.

Declared – Haven’t Sign With Agent
Kevin Love – C – Freshman – UCLA
07-08 Stats:  17.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Analysis:  If he signs with an agent, I think people will take him top 5.  I don’t know that he is worth it, but certainly a lottery pick.  Scouts worry about his size to play center, but I don’t know if he is athletic enough to play PF with the way the game is changing at that position.

Darrell Arthur – PF – Sophomore – Kansas
07-08 Stats:  12.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Analysis:  Can play both frontcourt positions but is thin.  All offense at this point, but definitely will be a great addition to any team.

Chase Budinger – SG – Sophomore – Arizona
07-08 Stats:  17.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg
Analysis:  I hate him.  Maybe it is because he sorta has red hair.  He can play though and if he comes out is an immediate 6th man for a playoff team.

Lee Cummard – SG – Junior – BYU
07-08 Stats:  15.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg
Analysis:  Only because of his last name.  Heh.

DeAndre Jordan – C – Freshman – Texas A&M
07-08 Stats:  7.9 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Analysis:  Ignore the stats.  The kid is a freak and I want him on my team right now.  He’s another one who is older (20) than his class, but scouts think he has the size and skill to be Dwight Howard.

Marreese Speights – C/PF – Sophomore – Florida
07-08 Stats:  14.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Analysis:  Another guy that probably could benefit with another year of school, but I think that he’ll come out and should be drafted pretty high due to his talent level alone.

Declared – Haven’t Signed With Agent – Want To See Go Back To School
Joe Alexander, WVU
Robert Dozier, Memphis
Wayne Ellington, UNC
Mario Chalmers, Kansas
Ryan Anderson, Cal
Danny Green, UNC
Kosta Koufos, Ohio St.
Ty Lawson, UNC
Jemel McNeal, Marquette
Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA

Will Return To School
Tyler Hansborough, UNC
Stephen Curry, Davidson
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Darren Collison, UCLA
Jeff Pendergraph, Arizona St.
Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
Sam Young, Pitt

The Tamaska’s AKA Foreigners
Nicolas Batum – SF – 19 years old – France
Stats:  8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 26 mpg
Analysis:  People liken him to Rudy Gay on the wing.  Saw his stock rise (Nike Hoop Summit) and then fall (league play)…so consistency is an issue.

Danilo Gallinari – SF – 19 years old – Italy
Stats:  14.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 31 mpg in Euroleague
Analysis:  The consensus best foreign prospect.  People liken him to Toni Kukoc (would be amazing) and then to a better Andrea Bargnani (a level above shitty).