Positional Rankings

I will be breaking down each position in the next few weeks. The first installment is the deep and talented class of point guards. While there may not be one stud player in this group, there are five or six legitimate starters, two of which have the potential to emerge as stars.

Point Guards

1. Mike Conley 6’0’’ 175 Ohio State
Strengths: Tremendous quickness, athleticism, and feel for the game.
Weaknesses: Jumpshot is improving but still a bit streaky.

2. Javaris Crittenton 6’5’’ 199 Georgia Tech
Strengths: Size, athleticism, ability to get to the basket and make plays.
Weaknesses: Jumpshot can be inconsistent; can be turnover prone.

3. Acie Law 6’3’’ 195 Texas A+M
Strengths: Clutch shooting, ability to get to the basket.
Weaknesses: Needs the ball in his hands constantly, similar to Sam Cassell. Can still further develop his playmaking skills.

4. Rodney Stuckey 6’4’’ 200 Eastern Washington
Strengths: Supposedly is a dynamite scorer with great burst and strength (Can’t say I’ve seen him play)
Weaknesses: Apparently is a combo-guard who doesn’t have the court vision of a true PG.

5. Gabe Pruitt 6’4’’ 170 USC
Strengths: Superior quickness and reliable three-point shooting ability.
Weaknesses: Lacks strength to get to the rim. Could improve as a playmaker.

6. Taurean Green 6’0’’ 177 Florida
Strengths: Knows how to win. Makes big shots and does everything fairly well.
Weaknesses: No glaring weaknesses, but he’s not outstanding at anything. Size may be an issue.

7. Aaron Brooks 5’11’’ 161 Oregon
Strengths: Cat-like quickness and the ability to catch fire and hit from anywhere. Should have a similar career to Earl Boykins as a spark off the bench.
Weaknesses: Obviously his lack of size will hurt against bigger guards. Tends to play a little too fast for his own good sometimes.

8. Dominic James 5’11’’ 175 Marquette
Strengths: Unrivaled strength and leaping ability for his size. Can get to the rim at will. Potential to be a shutdown defender.
Weaknesses: Jumpshot must become more consistent for him to play in the NBA.

9. Mustafa Shakur 6’3’’ 183 Arizona
Strengths: Good size, speed, and athleticism and skills that you look for in a PG. Is a pesky defender with long arms.
Weaknesses: Plays out of control and carelessly at times. Doesn’t have an overly consistent three-point shot.

10. Bobby Brown 6’1’’ 170 Cal State-Fullerton
Strengths: Can really shoot the ball. Can spot up or create off the dribble.
Weaknesses: Cocaine.

Honorable Mention: Sean Singletary 5’11’’ 170 Virginia, Jared Jordan 6’3’’ 183 Marist, Stanley Burrell 6’2’’ 200 Xavier, Ramon Sessions 6’3’’ 190 Nevada.

Best Shooter: Aaron Brooks
Best Passer: Javaris Crittenton
Best Handle: Mike Conley Jr.
Best Rebounder: Javaris Crittenton
Fastest: Mike Conley Jr.
Best Defender: Mustafa Shakur
Best Dunker: Dominic James
Best Shot-Blocker: Rodney Stuckey
Best at Drawing Charges: Taurean Green
Best at Arguing with the Ref: Acie Law

Five Years from now…
PG Everyone Regrets Passing Up: Javaris Crittenton
Crittenton could fall behind Law, Stuckey, and even Pruitt in this draft. If so, teams will regret it because Crittenton is the most talented PG in the draft. He may need a year or so of seasoning, but this dynamic freshman will be a standout at the next level.

PG Everyone is Thankful They Passed Up: Dominic James
James might be a highlight reel waiting to happen, but unfortunately for him ESPN rarely runs highlights of players dunking in warm-ups.

All-Pros: Javaris Crittenton and Mike Conley Jr.
Starters: Acie Law, Rodney Stuckey, Taurean Green, Gabe Pruitt
Role Players: Aaron Brooks

Shooting Guards

1. Thaddeus Young 6’8’’ 211 Georgia Tech
Strengths: Blessed with incredible athleticism and feel for the game. His jumpshot is further along than most other 18-year-olds.
Weaknesses: Ballhandling still needs some work. Could add some weight to his frame as well.

2. Nick Young 6’7’’ 200 USC
Strengths: Ability to fill a role, make plays as a defender, and create his own shots off the dribble.
Weaknesses: Sometimes drifts in games. His jumpshot may need some polish.

3. Derrick Byers 6’7’’ 225 Vanderbilt
Strengths: Four-year player with developed skills and body for the NBA. Great ballhandler for a wing.
Weaknesses: Good at everything, but no one skill really blows you away. Is a reliable jumpshooter but may need to work on his range to become a threat from the NBA 3-point line.

4. Daequan Cook 6’5’’ 195 Ohio State
Strengths: Can score in a number of ways. Great shooter with range that can also get to the basket and draw contact. Above-average defender.
Weaknesses: Didn’t get a chance to showcase his scoring skills at Ohio State, and could have used a year or two more of polishing in college. He is a little undersized for an NBA shooting guard.

5. Marco Belinelli 6’6’’ 200 Italy
Strengths: Lights-out three point shooter. Can really handle the ball and create his shot off the dribble.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t possess great athleticism and that could hurt him defensively.

6. Demetris Nichols 6’7’’ 205 Syracuse
Strengths: Rangy three-point shooter who can hit going either direction and fading away. Good length, quickness, and strength for his size.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t create his own shot exceptionally well and could improve on the defensive end.

7. Russell Carter 6’4’’ 225 Notre Dame
Strengths: Game grew in leaps and bounds over his time at Notre Dame. Developed into a terrific scorer and three-point shooter. Has the strength of an NFL player to go along with the hops of an Olympic jumper.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t utilize his strength and athleticism and too often settles for jumpers. He is a little short to play SG in the NBA.

8. Rudy Fernandez 6’6’’ 172 Spain
Strengths: Athletic all-around scorer who can step back and hit the three with consistency. Very creative offensively.
Weaknesses: Really needs to put on some weight. His ability as a defender has come into question.

9. Morris Almond 6’6’’ 214 Rice
Strengths: Big-time scorer who can hit from outside and use his strength to get to the free throw line.
Weaknesses: Didn’t face strong competition in college. Ballhandling is questionable.

10. Marcus Williams 6’7’’ 207 Arizona
Strengths: Aggressive player who can score in a bunch of ways. His long arms make him a nuisance on defense.
Weaknesses: Shot selection needs serious improvement. Not a good enough shooter to take some of the shots he does.

Honorable Mention: Aaron Afflalo 6’5’’ 215 UCLA, Ron Lewis 6’4’’ 195 Ohio State, Trey Johnson 6’5’’ 218 Jackson State, Coby Karl 6’5’’ 209 Boise State, Marko Tomas 6’8’’ 198 Croatia, Renaldas Seibutis 6’6’’ 180 Lithuania.

Best Scorer: Thaddeus Young
Best Shooter: Marco Belinelli
Best Passer: Derrick Byers
Best Handle: Derrick Byers
Best Rebounder: Marcus Williams
Best Athlete: Thaddeus Young
Best Defender: Nick Young
Best Instincts: Rudy Fernandez
Best Dunker: Thaddeus Young
Best Shot-Blocker: Nick Young
Best Dressed: Aaron Afflalo
Best Smile: Derrick Byers



Five Years From Now….

SG Everyone Regrets Passing Up: Russell Carter
Carter will likely be a late-second round pick and will be the steal of the draft. He is a legitimate threat from three-point range and will come into the NBA as one of the strongest, most athletic guards in the league. If he learns to use his physical gifts and drive to the basket instead of always settling for jumpshots, Carter could be a 20 point per game scorer at the next level.

SG Everyone is Thankful They Didn’t Draft: Aaron Afflalo
Nothing against Afflalo, he was a great college player, but his game does not translate as well to the NBA as many of the the players that will be drafted behind him.

All-Pros: Thaddeus Young
Starters: Derrick Byers, Nick Young, Russell Carter, Daequan Cook, Demetris Nichols, Marco Belinelli
Role Players: Rudy Fernandez, Morris Almond, Aaron Afflalo, Marcus Williams

Small Forward

1. Kevin Durant 6'10'' 210 Texas
Strengths: Can score from anywhere on the floor. His 7'5'' wingspan and elite shooting touch are a very rare combination.
Weaknesses: His weakness is, well....his weakness. Durant makes Tayshaun Prince look like a bodybuilder. He needs to add some muscle and quickness to fulfill his All-Star potential.

2. Julian Wright 6’9’’ 210 Kansas
Strengths: Very long, athletic, versatile and unselfish. Great ballhandler and passer.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a reliable jumpshot or post game.

3. Corey Brewer 6’8’’ 185 Florida
Strengths: Great length and quickness. Was one of the great defenders in the college game. Improved his jumpshot each season.
Weaknesses: Nicknamed the “Drunk Dribbler” because of his awkward ballhandling. Is rail thin and even though he benched well at the combine, will need to add some mass to his skinny frame.

4. Jeff Green 6’9’’ 228 Georgetown
Strengths: Big, strong forward with good all-around skills and unselfishness. Is as ready for the NBA as anyone in this draft.
Weaknesses: Skills are all relatively good, but no one skill is off the charts. Doesn’t have NBA three-point range yet.

5. Reyshawn Terry 6’7’’ 232 North Carolina
Strengths: Four-year player at UNC. Does everything well. Has the strength and athleticism to be a great defender in the NBA. Will be able to hit the NBA three.
Weaknesses: Like Green, is good at everything but not outstanding at anything in particular. Overall, he’s a complete prospect that will get serious playing time as a rookie despite being a late first or early second round pick.

6. Dominic McGuire 6’8’’ 210 Fresno State
Strengths: Extremely long and athletic. One of the best shot-blockers in this year’s class.
Weaknesses: Poor shooter with a very underdeveloped offensive game. Skills need a lot of work, but has tremendous potential.

7. Wilson Chandler 6’7’’ 230 DePaul
Strengths: Prototypical size and athleticism for an NBA SF. Has good form on his shot and showed a lot of improvement as a three-point shooter last season.
Weaknesses: Left after sophomore year. Though he has a lot of potential, Chandler is far from a finished product.

8. Alando Tucker 6’5’’ 210 Wisconsin
Strengths: Great scorer at the college level. Very hard-nosed defensively. Has a winning attitude.
Weaknesses: May not possess the size, athleticism, and shooting ability to translate his collegiate success to the NBA.

9. Jared Dudley 6’7’’ 225 Boston College
Strengths: Uses his body very well inside. Shooting stroke improved drastically over his four years in college.
Weaknesses: Below-average athlete at the NBA level. Won’t be able to defend or create very well because of his lack of footspeed.

10. Quinton Hosley 6’6’’ 210 Fresno State
Strengths: Good athlete with long arms and ability to catch and shoot.
Weaknesses: Though he has a lot of potential as a defender, he needs work on his technique. Not overly capable of creating his own shot.


Honorable Mention: Curtis Sumpter 6’7’’ 223 Villanova, Sun Yue 6’9’’ 205 China.

Best Scorer: Kevin Durant
Best Shooter: Kevin Durant
Best Passer: Julian Wright
Best Handle: Julian Wright
Best Rebounder: Kevin Durant
Best Defender: Corey Brewer
Best Athlete: Dominic McGuire
Best Shot-Blocker: Dominic McGuire
Best Instincts: Alando Tucker
Best to Bring Home to Mom and Dad: Jeff Green


Five Years From Now…

SF Everyone Regrets Passing Up: Reyshawn Terry
Terry is no Kevin Durant, but he will be a Josh Howard-like steal in the late first round. If he ends up going to San Antonio at #28, he will take over for Bruce Bowen and the Spurs won’t miss a beat.

SF Everyone is Thankful They Didn’t Draft: No one.
Overall, this is a very impressive class of small forwards. Each player in the Top 10 has the ability to be an NBA starter.

All-Pros: Kevin Durant, Reyshawn Terry
Starters: Julian Wright, Corey Brewer, Dominic McGuire, Jeff Green, Wilson Chandler
Role Players: Alando Tucker, Jared Dudley, Quinton Hosley

Power Forward

1. Al Horford 6’9’’ 244 Florida
Strengths: Big, strong body with developed skills on both ends. Is ready to play right away.
Weaknesses: Needs to improve consistency and range on jumpshot to become a true star. We’ve seen Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer really develop a jumper in the NBA, and there is no reason why Horford won’t be able to do the same.

2. Brandan Wright 6’10’’ 210 North Carolina
Strengths: 7’4’’ wingspan. Basketball is all about length, and Wright uses his effectively at both ends.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a polished offensive game and is very weak. Won’t be able to use his length and athleticism at the next level unless he bulks up and becomes a better shooter.

3. Al Thornton 6’7’’ 210 Florida State
Strengths: Possesses tremendous athleticism. Does everything well, can score from anywhere on the court. Fantastic rebounder and shot-blocker for his size.
Weaknesses: Is a little small to play power forward at the next level. His ballhandling isn’t good enough yet to play small forward, so he may be a bit of a tweener right now.

4. Yi Jianlian 7’0’’ 242 China
Strengths: Versatile offensive game. Can handle the ball for a 7-footer, displays nice athleticism, and good range on his jumpshot.
Weaknesses: Lacks go-to post moves and body strength. Might have trouble against bigger power forwards and might be too slow to play small forward.

5. Joakim Noah 7’0’’ 230 Florida
Strengths: Incredible passion for the game. Will hustle, rebound, and block shots. Does everything necessary to win. Offensive skills are underrated.
Weaknesses: Can do some damage in the post, but displays little ability to shoot turnaround jumpshots or anything outside of the paint. Will get muscled around inside until he puts on some weight.

6. Jason Smith 7’0’’ 233 Colorado State
Strengths: Polished offensive skills. Scores well inside and out. Has advanced fundamentals for his age. Ran, jumped, and benched very well in the combine.
Weaknesses: Plays soft at times and is often pushed out of position inside.

7. Ali Traore 6’9’’ 239 France
Strengths: Very physical player who will score on strength and athleticism alone. Good rebounder for his height.
Weaknesses: Despite long arms and good leaping ability, Traore does not block a lot of shots. Post skills are still a work in progress.

8. Josh McRoberts 6’10’’ 240 Duke
Strengths: Great handle and passing ability for a big man. Can hit from mid-range with regularity. Finds ways to score inside.
Weaknesses: Not very quick, strong, or athletic for an NBA PF. Will have trouble utilizing his skills against better athletes.

9. Carl Landry 6’9’’ 245 Purdue
Strengths: Uses his body very well. Hard-nosed competitor who knows how to score on the block. Can hit the mid-range jumper consistently.
Weaknesses: Not overly tall or athletic. Will have trouble scoring against and defending longer players.


10. Tiago Splitter 6’11’ 236 Brazil
Strengths: Shows great mobility and activity inside for a big man. Is an aggressive rebounder and defender.
Weaknesses: Despite entering the NBA Draft and withdrawing in each of the past 8 years, Splitter still has not developed a refined offensive game. Will get most of his points on offensive rebounds and loose balls. Could stand to gain some weight.

Honorable Mention: Herbert Hill 6’10’’ 240 Providence, Nick Fazekas 6'11'' 240 Nevada, Jamareo Davidson 6’10’’ 220 Alabama, Coleman Collins 6’9’’ 240 Virginia Tech, Glen Davis 6’8’’ 480 LSU

Best Scorer: Al Horford
Best Shooter: Jason Smith
Best Passer: Josh McRoberts
Best Handle: Josh McRoberts
Best Rebounder: Al Horford
Best Defender: Joakim Noah
Best Athlete: Al Thornton
Best Shot-Blocker: Brandan Wright
Best Instincts: Al Horford
Class Flirt: Yi Jianlian
Best Eyes: Brandan Wright

Five Years from now…

PF Everyone Regrets Passing Up: Ali Traore
Traore will likely fall into the second round and will be a steal for whoever gets him. Though he might take a few years to develop offensively, Traore has all the tools to be a force in the NBA.

PF Everyone is Thankful They Didn’t Draft: Brandan Wright
Wright will go much higher than he deserves. He has tremendous length and potential, but his offense and his body are a long way from being able to contribute on a regular basis. Guys like Al Thornton and Jason Smith will go after Wright, but will have a much greater impact.

All-Pros: Al Horford
Starters: Al Thornton, Joakim Noah, Yi Jianlian, Brandan Wright, Ali Traore, Jason Smith
Role Players: Carl Landry, Josh McRoberts, Tiago Splitter, Herbert Hill, Nick Fazekas

Center

1. Greg Oden 7’0’’ 257 Ohio State
Strengths: An absolute beast of a man. Will change games as a rookie by rebounding and blocking shots. Uses both hands extremely well. Can knock down free throws.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a bad post game, but his post skills are still a work in progress. I would insert an “old” joke here, but I’ve worn those out already.

2. Spencer Hawes 7’0’’ 244 Washington
Strengths: Advanced low-post scoring skills and good shooting touch.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t possess overwhelming athleticism, but has enough to get by.

3. Sean Williams 6’10’’ 235 Boston College
Strengths: Arguably the best shot-blocker to come into the league in years. Will be one of the most athletic centers in the NBA.
Weaknesses: Very unpolished offensively. Has a tendency to get into trouble off the court.

4. Marc Gasol 7’0’’ 270 Spain
Strengths: Great size and strength with an understanding of how to use his body in the post. Good shooting touch for a big man.
Weaknesses: Would probably be the next candidate to race Dick Bovetta on All-Star weekend. Doesn’t have quickness or athleticism to run and jump with many NBA centers.

5. Aaron Gray 7’1’’ 280 Pittsburgh
Strengths: Terrific body strength and low post game. Can shoot the ball consistently out to 15 feet.
Weaknesses: Like Gasol, will really struggle keeping up with more athletic centers.

6. Kyle Visser 6’11’’ 250 Wake Forest
Strengths: Good all-around prospect. Has decent size, athleticism, and offensive skills.
Weaknesses: Not an overly explosive player. Doesn’t provide a shot-blocking threat and is turnover prone when double teamed.

7. Shagari Alleyne 7’3’’ 270 Manhattan
Strengths: Tremendous size, has added a lot of weight to his frame since his late high school and early college years.
Weaknesses: Very unrefined offensive skills. Probably will never be a reliable offensive player.


8. Stanko Barac 7’1’’ 220 Bosnia
Strengths: He’s Tall.
Weaknessses: He sucks.


You know what…lets just stop there.

Best Scorer: Spencer Hawes
Best Shooter: Spencer Hawes
Best Passer: Aaron Gray
Best Handle: N/A
Best Rebounder: Greg Oden
Best Defender: Greg Oden
Best Athlete: Sean Williams
Best Shot-Blocker: Sean Williams
Best Instincts: Greg Oden
Class Clown: Marc Gasol
Class Heartthrob: Kyle Visser


Five Years from now…

C Everyone Wishes They Drafted: Greg Oden
Not that Oden will fall down the draft board, because that just isn’t happening. Teams will regret sending an unlucky representative to the lottery and thus not getting the chance to draft the man-child out of Ohio State.

C Everyone is Thankful They Didn’t Draft: Stanko Barac
Using a second-round pick on Barac would even be a waste. That’s how bad this guy is. I’ve never seen him play, but I guarantee that he’ll never step foot on an NBA floor.

All-Pros: Greg Oden
Starters: Spencer Hawes
Role Players: Marc Gasol, Sean Williams, Aaron Gray