2010 NBA Draft: Orlando's Draft Board
As usual, Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith has left a great deal to the imagination in the lead up to the 2010 NBA Draft.
The team just scheduled its first private workout this past Monday. Prior to that, we heard rumors about the Magic attending a private multi-team workout in New Jersey.
Other than those few instances, Orlando seems to posses very little interest in this year's draft class.
Looks can be deceiving.
Since Orlando's exit from the playoffs, Smith has provided quite a few tidbits of information about the team's intentions.
When asked if he will keep his first-round draft pick , Smith answered simply, “Yes.”
The cryptic Smith also alluded to the fact many times that both Jason Williams and Anthony Johnson have passed their primes.
Smith knows he needs help at both guard positions.
Many believe the Magic should find a good power forward to make the team better.
Here again, Smith remains ambiguous. He believes the Magic need to change very little to get over the championship hump.
He also added, he will take the “best available” player with his pick.
Taking all the factors into consideration, it still remains difficult to gauge who the Magic feel might make them better.
After the first-round gets into picks 15 and later, all the names begin to jumble together, due to the number of talented players.
Narrowing the Magic's pick down to one certain individual just won't work this year.
Many of the teams in the mid to late parts of the first-round may find themselves scrambling to find an alternate.
The player a particular team wants, stands a good chance of being already taken if their draft position sits in the 20s.
That said, I've provided who I see as the Magic's top three choices.
I've listed them in order from most wanted to least wanted.
Jordan Crawford
You might know Jordan Crawford's name. He became well known for a day or two because of a You Tube video.
He's the guy who dunked on LeBron James during a summer basketball camp.
But that's not why he's at the top of the list.
Other than dunk on LeBron in a meaningless game, the kid can play.
One scout proclaimed Crawford could score from anywhere in the gym. He can drive, shoot and post.
He brings a high degree of athleticism, something the present Magic team sorely lacks.
He plays very well out of the pick-and-roll. Yes, that's a green light for Orlando. And part of the reason I've got him listed as the number one choice.
He needs to work on his defense. The Magic made it to the Finals with Hedo on the defensive end. If Crawford can live up to potential, the Magic can surely live with his defense.
Some mock drafts have Crawford getting picked up by Memphis with the 27th pick.
If he's still around at number 29, expect Otis to select the best available player. That would be Crawford.
Darington Hobson
Hobson has been listed for draft purposes as a small forward.
He can legitimately play both guard positions as well.
This makes him attractive to a team looking for a back-up point guard, and wing players.
He can create shots, shoot and drive to the basket. On the defensive end he holds his own well.
Hobson transferred from Junior College to New Mexico, where he only played one season. He struggled with grade issues coming out of high school.
Since attending college, he's overcome those challenges.
Because of his lack of experience on the big stage, some see him as a risk. Initial projections put him as a mid second-round pick.
With his workouts and interviews, he'll be off the board no later than the second or third pick of the second-round.
If the Magic's first choice goes before they get their chance, expect Hobson to fill the gap left by Crawford's absence.
Quincy Pondexter
Many of the mock draft boards have the Washington senior as the one for the Magic.
He impressed scouts at the private workout on Monday. His name floated around, even before the workouts.
Pondexter plays the three position, and plays it pretty well.
He drives exceptionally well, and likes to play from the post. He can also shoot a mid-range jumper.
He also excels at the less popular, but required aspects of the game such as defense and rebounding.
Pondexter gets dinged for a lack of quickness and offensive polish.
At times he can rely on his size and strength to get to the bucket.
That creates a question about his ability to do this against the grown men in the NBA— can you say Rajon Rondo?
Information from Draft Express and NBADraft.net was used in compiling this report.
