NBA Draft 2008: "And the Winners Are....."

While some may be disappointed that the drama with Michael Beasley never unfolded, I for one really liked the trade activity level with many teams making bold moves to bolster their roster. 

While some stayed the same and the usual teams made boneheaded moves, here are a few teams that I feel built their team well for the future.

Chicago - Am I the only one on the planet that feels Beasley should have gone No. 1?  I understand the level of play Rose had in the tournament, but before those two weeks, there was no one doubting Beasley was the No. 1 pick.  How does that all change in a couple of weeks?  Hinrich, who could start on MANY teams in the NBA now must be dealt.  Now the Bulls put in Rose instead of Hinrich, but run the same players that could not get it together with that talent.  You give Hinrich a monster like Beasley to work with, along with Deng on the wing and you have three players at three different positions you would have to contend with.  I guess the Tyrus Thomas experiment continues.  Overall, the Bulls made a good pick because Rose is that good, but I don't know if it's the best pick for their team.

Miami - You know how I feel about Beasley, so it's to no surprise that I feel Miami did the right thing.  To pick or even hint at picking anyone else was pretty dumb in my opinion.  As much hype as Durant got last year, Beasley put up even better numbers his freshman year, yet there was doubt if he should go No. 2?  It makes no sense.  Through a trade, the Heat also landed another favorite of mine in Mario Chalmers.  Look at this lineup should it remain intact for years to come: Chalmers, Wade, Marion, Beasley, and any center that can defend.  That's pretty sick.

Portland - Deciding to clean up their old "jailblazers" act, this team has really impressed me with the way they have built their team.  They had the foresight to go get Brandon Roy and LeMarcus Aldridge who are both better players than who they were swapped for, Randy Foye and Tyrus Thomas respectively.  Greg Oden hasn't even stepped foot on the floor, so he can be considered as an addition to last year's team.  On a team full of talent, they got what they needed most, an upgrade at point guard, which they landed in a trade for Jerryd Bayless.  This allowed them to take a flyer on a high upside player, Nicolas Batum.  Yet again, another sick lineup is built for the future:  Bayless, Roy, Webster, Aldridge, Oden

Houston - How can I write an NBA column without mentioning my home town team?  Going in, I felt we needed a long athletic wingman that could sub in for Tmac.  While I was hoping for Brandon Rush or Chris Douglas-Roberts, I was not disappointed with the selection of Nicolas Batum.  It doesn't end there.  The Rockets were able to swing this pick and turn it into Donte Green, Joey Dorsey, and a future second round pick.  Not a bad return.  At a pick this low, it's a crapshoot as to who will be better between Green and Batum.  However, landing Joey Dorsey was brilliant.  The Rockets have long needed a guy to patrol the paint and watch Yao's back, now they have found that man in Dorsey who is ready to play today.  If Green can add anything off the bench in his rookie season, it will be icing on the cake.

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