Best Backup: Eric Maynor, PG, Utah Jazz
The Jazz’s biggest need going into the draft was finding a backup for Deron Williams and they got their man. Maynor has great experience and is one of the more NBA-ready point guards in the draft class that can see minutes right away.
Not only will he see the court, he will also learn from Williams, which should improve his game even more. Much like a rookie quarterback in the NFL, being able to sit back and learn as a backup point guard will slow down the game for a guy like Maynor.
A close second place in this category was Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets. Much like Maynor, he will be joining a team with a veteran point guard and a team that can shoot the lights out. Both have experience, good basketball IQ’s, and a mentor that should make them decent pros at worst.
Biggest Sleeper (first round): Toney Douglas, SG, Florida State
If Douglas can put everything together, he could become an excellent pro in Mike D’Antoni’s system. Along side Chris Duhon, he will have a chance to start and see good minutes right away.
Douglas is a tad bit undersized at 6′2″ but makes up for it with his excellent shot and even better defense. He runs the court exceptionally well (always a plus for a fast-paced offense), and his outside range is an added bonus.
He slipped due to his size and age (23), but if he can overcome his lack of size and continue to work on his defense, he has the chance to start one day.
Biggest Sleeper (second round): DeJuan Blair, PF, San Antonio Spurs
For a guy that was projected to be a late lottery pick, it sounds weird to say that Blair is a sleeper. While many know about him, I completely expect him to exceed expectations of a second rounder and become the next Anderson Varejao.
Jamie Dixon, Blair’s coach at the University of Pittsburgh, said he talked to all 30 teams to let them know Blair never missed a practice or game because of his knees. But, clearly some teams still thought it was an issue that let him slip 36 slots.
I don’t think that his offensive game is good enough for him to ever start on a consistent basis, but his rebounding skills and brute strength are good enough for him to play big minutes off the bench.
Playing in San Antonio next to Tim Duncan can only help Blair’s success as well. With the trade obtaining Richard Jefferson, the Spurs are contenders in the West once again and now have Blair to help the run.
Best Foreign Player Other Than Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings: Omri Casspi, PF, Sacramento Kings
It goes without saying that Rubio and Jennings are expected to outperform all other international players.
But after that, Casspi is next in line. I’d be lying if I said I have ever seen him play outside of his draft clip after he was taken, but from what I hear, he can be a good role player for the Kings.
When I saw his reel, I saw a more athletic player than Andres Nocioni, who he has been compared to for a while. He has the same tenacity and wreckless play that Nocioni has, but I liked his smooth shot a little more, and felt like he played much longer as well.
Everything I hear says he should stay and play in the NBA this year and could have an impact right away. The transition to the Association will be different, but a player of his talent should make it.
Biggest Difference Maker: Brandon Jennings, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
This might be a bit of a homer statement but; I believe that if Jennings can step in right away and play to his tenth pick potential, the Bucks will be a playoff team next year.
The Luke Ridnour experiment failed miserably and the selection of Jennings all but said goodbye to Ramon Sessions. If Charlie Villanueva is re-signed, the Bucks should have a solid nucleus capable of winning 41 games, even without Richard Jefferson.
As for Jennings, he joins a solid group of veterans including Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut, and should create messes for defenses. He is a score-first point guard who plays very well in transition—two things the Bucks lacked last year.
Injuries riddled the Bucks last year, but if they can stay healthy, the playoffs are not out of the question for the Bucks, and Jennings will be a big reason why.
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
Year in and year out, the Rookie of the Year comes from inside the top 10 and this year will be no different. Griffin was the one bright spot in a draft full of potential and will have the biggest impact on any team this year.
The Clippers are quickly putting together a solid core group with Griffin, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton that could be very good in a few years. Griffin should average around 15 points and nine rebounds, and will be a highlight reel every time he steps on the court.
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