Guards Aplenty, Where Will They Fall? NBA Draft Preview Part III

With the guards gone, Dejuan Blair could prove beneficial to a team in need of some brute strength and offensive rebounding.

This is where the draft gets thin. A majority of the point guards are gone, and the talent remaining are either defensive-oriented or have their weaknesses offensively. Nonetheless, the second half of the first round is still full of intrigue.

Here are my predictions for who will be selected 12th through 17th in the first round, and who those teams will choose for the remainder of the draft.

12.) Charlotte Bobcats: Jordan Hill: There is talk that the Golden State Warriors will choose the center out of Arizona with the seventh overall selection if he falls to them. Yet, if they pass him up, Hill could easily slip to the Bobcats, a team in dire need of size.

Emeka Okafor is Charlotte’s current center, but even though he is a excellent defensive player and rounder, he isn’t known for his scoring. Okafor has played out of position, and really fits the mold of a power forward. I’m sure he would gladly move over and play power forward in order to make room for Hill.

The Bobcats lineup would be big if they chose Hill, as he would join Okafor, Gerald Wallace, and Jason Richardson, all of whom are over 6′6″ tall, along with point guard Raymond Felton. Hill, like Okafor, is 6′10″, but he plays much bigger. He is a lanky shot-blocker with solid post moves who could certainly go earlier, but if he falls into the lap of Charlotte, look for them to snatch him up.

40th pick: Danny Green: Green could be a steal midway through the second round. A sharpshooter with three-point range, Green could spell Richardson and continue to tire the opposition with his lethal scoring ability.

13.) Indiana Pacers: Dejuan Blair: A bulky, physical power forward, Blair is known for his brutish nature under the basket. He’s a fantastic offensive rebounder, and was one of the better ones in the NCAA’s while with the Pittsburgh Panthers. He doesn’t have many offensive moves, but, with his build and physicality, a full repertoire isn’t needed.

Currently, the Pacers have a power forward, Troy Murphy, who averaged a double-double this past season. They have a small forward, Danny Granger, who has blossomed into a perennial All-Star. They also have a point guard, Jarrett Jack, and a young center, Roy Hibbert, to build around. This means that their is a gaping hole at shooting guard (Marques Daniels currently holds down this position, but he’s dysfunctional off the court and inconsistent on it). If Gerald Henderson Jr. slips to the Pacers, which is highly possible, he would be an adequate choice, a player that could start from the onset. Blair, however, would not start, but could provide some strength and hustle they currently lack from their bench. It just depends on the Pacers preference.

14.) Phoenix Suns: James Johnson: The do-everything forward out of Wake Forest would be a welcome edition to the Suns, a team that needs a player of his caliber. The Suns discussed the possibility of trading star forward Amare Stoudemire earlier this season, and will presumably listen to offers this offseason. Though a trade involving Stoudemire probably will not happen (Phoenix is more apt to trading center Shaquille O’Neal), Johnson would be a valuable addition in their ongoing effort to replace Shawn Marion, whom they traded for O’Neal two years ago.

The run 'n gun Suns would welcome James Johnson with open arms.

Johnson averaged 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and two assists during his sophomore and final season with the Deacons. Marion put up similar numbers during his tenure with the Suns and, though Johnson isn’t a great outside shooter, he could fit in their run n’ gun offensive scheme.

48th pick: Chris Johnson: This selection not only would keep the Johnson-theme going, but give the Suns a center to groom alongside Brook Lopez. Shaquille O’Neal will probably be traded before the season starts, so Phoenix could start a youth movement built around Lopez and the two Johnsons.

15. Detroit Pistons: Earl Clark: Versatile, and able to play both the small and power forward, Clark would give the Pistons the offense they currently lack. He has outside game of a guard that stretches beyond the three-point line, and the inside game of a power forward. This inside-outside attack would provide the jolt that their offense has been missing since the regrettable trade of guard Chauncey Billups.

Like Johnson, Clark brought everything to the table in college, averaging 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal, and with his length and improved play defensively, could jump right into the Pistons rotation.

If Clark is picked by the Suns, then Detroit would most likely select Johnson, who is very similar in build and talent.

44th pick: Jerel McNeal: Considering their offensive shortage, a guard of McNeal’s caliber would help solve their problems. A consistent scorer at Marquette and a good defender, McNeal would suffice as Richard Hamilton’s backup, and give the Pistons toughness they are always looking for.

16. Chicago Bulls: Chase Budinger: Budinger, an explosive scorer who spent two years at Arizona, would give the Bulls the scoring they would lose if they let Ben Gordon leave via free agency, and if they traded Luol Deng, which is a distinct possibility. Even if Gordon and Deng are retained, Budinger would be a valuable asset for the Bulls. He’s very similar to Deng in build and in some statistical categories, but is a better shooter than him, which would help Chicago’s offense considerably.

He is a very intelligent player, and with the Bulls thinness at the small forward/shooting guard position, he could make  immediate impact. He’s very aggressive, but isn’t shy to shoot, either. He has unlimited range, and would provide the intangibles (blocks, steals, assists, and rebounds), adding to their plethora of hustle players.

26th pick: Taj Gibson: The Bulls have height, but they lack scoring out of their centers. Brad Miller is a scorer, and will continue to be, but he’s up in age, so Chicago will need a replacement with similar scoring ability. Taj Gibson is that guy. He has a solid jump-shot, and was extremely efficient on both sides of the ball in his three years at the University of California. The Bulls backup Joakim Noah is highly thought of, and for good reason. While Gibson is offensive oriented, Noah thrives on the defensive end. Their contrasting styles would do a lot to frustrate the opposition, and give them a dominant duo in the paint.

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17. Philadelphia 76ers: Ty Lawson: Lawson was once regarded as top-ten talent, but slipped considerably as he struggled with his jump-shot in workouts. Yet, despite his woeful jumper, he is still highly touted, and has so many strengths that he could be selected earlier. He’s quite possibly the quickest guard in the draft. He’s aggressive on offense, but is very unselfish as an excellent passer.

The 76ers may pass on Lawson if they re-sign point guard Andre Miller. But Miller, who failed to report to a mandatory team meeting at the end of the regular season, has grown tiresome amongst those in Philadelphia’s front office, and isn’t expected to return.

Philadelphia has point guard Lou Williams waiting in the wings, but he is more of a score-first point guard; a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, one of many in the league today. Williams and Lawson could fight for the starters job, and the right to play alongside star shooting guard Andre Iguodala, but whoever loses out could provide the necessary spark off the bench.

Stay tuned for Part IV of my NBA Draft Preview.