(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Utah stays big in Round Two, opting to go with the versatile and athletic James. Although I can definitely see James going back to Texas for his senior year, he would be a good option as a big man for the Jazz. At the three position, the Jazz are not very big and could use a good post presence.
NBA Comparison: Ron Artest
51. San Antonio Spurs: Milan Macvan, C, KK Hemofarm
The Spurs are almost as good as the Trailblazers at finding international talent, and although I do not know a whole lot about Macvan, he would give the Spurs another good big man. The Spurs can probably let him play overseas for a few years and see how he progresses.
NBA Comparison: Pau Gasol
52. Indiana Pacers: Wesley Matthews, SF, Marquette
The second Golden Eagle goes off the board at No. 52. Matthews played great in the Portsmouth Invitational and showed some moves that may convince scouts he can succeed as a shooting guard. The size is there, but the quickness might not be. Matthews developed an excellent outside shot this year that will also help his chances of being drafted.
NBA Comparison: Grant Hill
53. San Antonio Spurs: Alex Ruoff, SG, West Virginia
The Spurs find a lot of their talent in young players who are very smart. Ruoff fits this description perfectly. He may not have all the athletic tools, but he plays smart and is very efficient. With so much talent at the shooting-guard position, it may be hard for Ruoff to find a spot, but it won’t be because he didn’t try.
NBA Comparison: Kirk Hinrich
54. Charlotte Bobcats: Taj Gibson, PF, Southern Cal
The Bobcats finish out their balanced draft with the best player available. Gibson did not improve a whole lot while at Southern Cal, but his consistency shone through as he became a go-to option this year for the Trojans. The Bobcats should find a spot for him on the roster as Sean May experiment is all but over.
NBA Comparison: Leon Powe
55. Portland Trailblazers: Michael Washington, PF, Arkansas
The Trailblazers have four second-round picks, so to end it I will give them the best player available. That happens to be Washington. Playing for the Razorbacks last year, Washington filled up the stat sheet and was great on offense. Defensively, he is still a little out of control, but he has great size to go with his skills.
NBA Comparison: Al Horford
56. Portland Trailblazers: Greivis Vasquez, PG, Maryland
Another best-player-available selection, Vasquez has played in big time games and stepped up in a big way. He does a little bit of everything and may fly under the radar as a guy who can make a roster. Portland is filled with young guards, but you never know what will happen with injuries and trades.
NBA Comparison: Jason Kidd
57. Phoenix Suns: Josh Heytvelt, PF, Gonzaga
The Suns took Leo Lyons earlier in the round, but Heytvelt is too good of value to pass up here. Despite his great offensive game, his defensive struggles really concern me. Will he be good enough to defend centers in the NBA? If he is, he could form a very nice duo with Robin Lopez in the Suns' front court. Having a platoon of Lyons and Heytvelt would give the Suns a little bit of everything.
NBA Comparison: Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Marquette's Dominic James will make some team looking for a great backup point guard very happy.
58. Boston Celtics: Dominic James, PG, Marquette
Maybe I'm being a bit of a homer pick here, but I could see the Celtics going with a point guard, and James is the next best one. James has been through a ton in his career and has maintained a positive outlook. That will transition to the next level in the Celtics' locker room. If James can improve his free-throw shooting and jump shooting, he can start in the NBA. His defense is that good.
59. Los Angeles Lakers: Lee Cummard, SG, BYU
Cummard will be a long shot to make the team with such a deep unit for the Lakers, but he has great size for a shooting guard with a nice jump shot. He will need to improve his defense, but if he can, he could be a nice end-of-the-bench guy.
NBA Comparison: Matt Carroll
60. Miami Heat: Robert Dozier, SF, Memphis
Dozier had a decent year at Memphis, but last year’s losses clearly exposed him. Miami can use all the depth it can get, and Dozier plays nice defense with good length in his arms. Mr. Irrelevant for the NBA actually has a pretty good shot to make the team if the Heat stay at this position.
NBA Comparison: Tyrus Thomas
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