Grades for NBA Draft
Here is a look at the NBA Draft and the grades for each team. We'll start with the Eastern Conference as the first team to make a selection was the Charlotte Bobcats, who selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist from Kentucky.
Atlanta Hawks: C
Picks: G John Jenkins, Vanderbilt (#23)
The Skinny: The Hawks reached a little to take an undersized shooting guard in Jenkins from Vanderbilt. He is a very good shooter and a safe player who is not very athletic. A safe pick for Danny Ferry in his first draft.
Boston Celtics: C-
Picks: F Jared Sullinger, Ohio State (#21), C Fab Melo, Syracuse (#22), F Kris Joseph, Syracuse (#51).
The Skinny: The Celts took a player in Sullinger, who may have to have back surgery. But they did need to go big and also went with Melo, a big body who can rebound but is average defensively. Joseph is a slasher who will probably wind up in the D-League.
Brooklyn Nets: C
Picks: G Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas (#41), F Tornike Shengelia, Georgia (country) (#54).
The Skinny: The Nets didn't have many options and they get an experienced combo guard in Taylor. He doesn't always make the best decisions. Shengelia has improved in the last two months as a prospect. They did trade what would have been a sixth pick for Gerald Wallace.
Charlotte Bobcats: B-
Picks: F/G Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (#2), F Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt (#31).
The Skinny: A solid pick but a slight risk. He is a bigger Gerald Wallace but without the offense. The problem is that the Bobcats needed scoring and he won't provide that - at least right away. But he will supply defense and energy. Just seems to take an energy guy #2. Taylor was a nice pick in the second round but he's a lesser version of MKG. Very athletic and quality defender who can shoot a little.
Chicago Bulls: B+
Picks: G Marquis Teague, Kentucky (#29).
The Skinny: The Bulls lost Derrick Rose late in the season and he might not return until January. Teague is not Rose but he can play the point or shooting guard. He has upside and can learn behind Rose and C.J. Watson.
Cleveland Cavs: C-
Picks: G Dion Waiters, Syracuse (#4), C Tyler Zeller, North Carolina (#17).
The Skinny: The Cavs passed on Thomas Robinson, Harrison Barnes and Andre Drummond to take Waiters. They fooled everybody. Waiters can score but can he defend or pass? Will he still have maturity issues? Zeller is a borderline starting center. He is athletic but needs to get stronger and develop a more reliable shot. They sent the 24, 33 and 34 picks to get him. He also has had problems stay healthy.
Detroit Pistons: A
Picks: C Andre Drummond, Connecticut (#9), F Khris Middleton, Texas A&M (#39), G Kim English, Missouri (#44).
The Skinny: The Pistons did a very nice job, adding some size with Drummond, who is less of a risk at 9 than he was at 5, where most thought he would go. He should fit well with Greg Monroe up front. Middleton had a rough sophomore season and needs to find his shot again. English has a shot and was a nice pick at 44.
Indiana Pacers: D
Picks: C Miles Plumlee, Duke (#26).
The Skinny: The Pacers drafted a big athlete. He's not very skilled and will hustle, but they picked him over Arnett Moultrie and Perry Jones III?
Miami Heat: D
Picks: C Justin Hamilton, LSU (#45).
The Skinny: The Heat traded away their first-round pick and then traded with the Sixers to get the 7-footer from LSU. Hamilton defense and rebounds well, but he won't get much playing time early on, if ever.
Milwaukee Bucks: B+
Picks: F John Henson, North Carolina (#14), G Doron Lamb, Kentucky (#42)..
The Skinny: Henson has very long arms but needs to get stronger. His offense has improved and he was the best player on the board. Lamb was a quality pick as well. He can be a nice role player who can shoot and eventually might be more than a role player.
New York Knicks: B-
Picks: F Kostas Papanikolaou, Greece (#48).
The Skinny: The Knicks didn't have much of a choice here. He played a high level overseas and will be stashed overseas for a few years.
Orlando Magic: B
Picks: F Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure (#19), F/C Kyle O'Quinn, Norfolk State (#49)
The Skinny: The Magic added up a couple of nice pieces up front. While neither is a star, Nicholson has the size and shooting ability to make a difference. O'Quinn has the physical tools to rebound and defend. It doesn't matter if he played against weaker competition.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
Picks: F Maurice Harkless, St. John's (#15), F Arnett Moultrie, Miss. State (#27).
The Skinny: Harkless has great upside. A tall guard with size who can score but isn't a great shooter. Fits the Sixers. Moultrie is tough and can shoot it. They traded a future first-rounder to the Heat to get him.
Toronto Raptors: B-
Picks: G Terrence Ross, Washington (#8), F Quincy Acy, Baylor (#37).
The Skinny: Ross was a slight reach but that's ok. Jonas Valanciunas is coming over this year to help at center. The problem is that they already have DeMar DeRozan, another solid wing who can score.Both are athletic but if DeRozan can play small forward, this is a good pick. Acy is an athletic, lean scorer and defender. He's a little undersized but has a high motor, long wingspan and a great beard.
Washington Wizards: B-
Picks: G Brad Beal, Florida (#3), G Tomas Sataransky, Czech Republic (#32).
The Skinny: The Wiz were fortunate that Beal went #3. They desperately needed a shooting guard to pair with John Wall and Beal is the guy. Unfortunately for Washington, they went for the stash and dash theory early in 2nd round, picking Sataransky, an athletic point guard who can't shoot.