2010 NBA Draft Grades: Miami Heat Draft Report Card

Danny DolphinJun 25, 2010

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There wasn’t much flash on draft night for the Miami Heat, but it could very well become the most productive one in years.

Trading out of the first round

TOP NEWS

Miami’s draft night began Wednesday evening when they traded their first round pick (No.18 overall) and Daequan Cook to the Thunder for the No.32 pick. This was purely a cost cutting move. Miami is looking to unload as much salary as possible before the 2010 free agent shopping spree begins next week.

Analysis: Nobody is going to lose sleep over the loss of Cook, a talented shooter who just hasn’t put it all together yet. Would you rather have the cap space to go after Lebron and Bosh or a shooting specialist that can’t shoot?

Dexter Pittman (No.32 Overall), C

6′11″, 300 Texas (Sr.)

2010 Stats: 19.1 MIN, 10.4 PTS, 5.9 REB, 1.9 BLK, 65% FG

Analysis: Pittman came to school at a super-sized 400 plus pounds as a freshman. Since then he’s managed to improve every season as the weight has gradually come off. He’s going to have to lose another 30 pounds at least from his 300 pound frame to be effective at the next level. I see this kid as a starter in a few years. He has the strength, toughness, and touch inside to be a 15 and 10 guy for years.

Pittman was comical when he verbally talked about his desire to lose weight. He said he’s confident he will. “I know I’m going to do it,” he said, “because I love to work and I like to look in the mirror a lot, and I want to see that sexy body.” I like the guy already.

Jarvis Varnado (No.41 Overall), PF

6′10″, 210 Miss St. (Sr.)

2010 Stats: 31.7 MIN, 13.8 PTS, 10.3 REB, 4.7 BLK,

Analysis: Varnado is a beast on the defensive end. If you attack the basket with him around you’re going to get swatted. Not maybe, it’s a foregone conclusion. Unlike with Pittman, he actually needs to gain weight or he’s going to get thrown around by the much more physical NBA bigs.

Every time Pittman orders a cheeseburger, Varnado has to jump in for the steal. People helping people. Varnado also needs to develop a mid range jumper to be a more complete player and won’t play consistently until he does.

Da’Sean Butler (No.42 Overall), SF

6′7″, 225 West Virginia (Sr.)

2010 Stats: 35.8 MIN, 17.2 PTS, 6.2 REB, 3.1 ASS

Analysis: Butler was a sure fire first rounder before his devastating injury in the final four when he tore his ACL. He is well on his way to a full recovery and there’s no reason he can’t be the same clutch scorer he’s always been. This pick will go down as a steal in a few years.

Grade

It’s tough to judge a draft immediately after the fact because who knows how these kids are going to turn out. Everyone thought Beasley would be a star from day one and he still isn’t there yet after his second season of mediocrity.

It’s all hype at this point, and until these guys actually start producing or failing nobody has a clue.

On paper, the Heat took three guys that had first round value. It’s also no coincidence Riley drafted all seniors because he wants mature players who are ready to make an impact. Each of these guys have certain elite skills.

Pittman’s size and strength can’t be taught. Varnado is a defensive animal. Butler is a smart scorer, who isn’t afraid to take the final shot, as we’ve seen many times during his days at West Virginia.

Draft Grade: B+

Draft Notes

After an hour into the draft I thought I might have been watching a boat show when Jay Bilas blurted out “There has been some questions about his motor” for the 12,324 time.
Gordan Hayward has a very cute girlfriend
Wesley Johnson’s suit: WOW
It’s comical how whenever the analysts are looking to make a comparison for a white prospect they always – 100 percent of the time – compare him to a previous white prospect.
Heat president Pat Riley said late Thursday night that the team will not trade Michael Beasley. I don’t believe this for one second, unless it’s because there is nobody out there who wants him. I still hope I’m proved wrong because I still see a bright future for Beas.
Bold Prediction: Demarcus Cousins will go down as either the best or worst pick of this draft five years from now. There’s no in between with this kid. He’s got insane talent. It’s all with his head and how he approaches the game.