[coolpohle]

That doesn't mean I think he's a lottery pick.

[rocketeer]

Originally Posted by coolpohle

That doesn't mean I think he's a lottery pick.

then what does it mean?

[coolpohle]

Well, I didn't include any european players since I haven't seen them play. I assume a couple of those guys would be lottery picks.

[fjkdsi]

Update, only did 15 players because I didnt have the time to do a whole top 40 since not THAT much has changed since my last one, but really took the time to
concentrate on the top 15 here and feel pretty strongly about this list. Also wrote a little bit about the players too. I didnt read the post after typing it up so if you have any questions because of weird grammar/spelling let me know because I was typing pretty fast.


1. John Wall....

2. DeMarcus Cousins... Im a big Cousins fan and clearly he is as good a prospect as there is in this draft. I still dont think his personality/ off court issues are nearly as big as people try to make them out to be so thats why I have him above Turner. As far as his and John Walls games most of you have seen them play numerous times and pretty much everything that can be said about them already has been, so I wont type the same thing again. Still, if you have any questions about either one feel free to ask.

3. Evan Turner... Can pretty much do everything on the basketball court except shoot 3s but has a pretty stroke so that can improve. He has also improved every season since he has been at Ohio State. He does turn the ball over a little more than you would want but he does pretty much everything for Ohio State so thats expected. Also he might not be as succesful playing without the ball in his hands since he will most likely not be the number 1 option in the NBA. At least not right away.

4. Greg Monroe... I am very high on him and we have talked plenty about his strength weaknesses. I still think that his supposed lack of aggressive play and rebounding numbers come more so from the offense he plays in than his personality.

5. Derrick Favors... No player in this draft, including John Wall imo, has a higher ceiling than him. He can run and jump with the best and has the body of a true PF. At the same time he is less skilled than most players that will get drafted, as he often blows easy shots, fails to establish post position against smaller and less talented players and makes silly turnovers.

6. Al Farouq Aminu... Gets his numbers in college and has the length and quickness of an NBA SF but seems to have trouble operating outside of 15 feet. There is a lot of doubts about his outside shooting even though he claimed to have been working on it a lot. He is still very young (even for a So.) so should improve, questions is how much?

7. Cole Aldrich... Still the best and most important player on Kansas. From day 1 he is going to be a defensive and rebounding presence for whoever drafts him and he is already big and strong enough to get post position against a lot of the NBA. Also a pretty good passer out of the post and can even make midrange shots with his unorthodox form. The question is can he take all those skills to the next level and be a star in the pros?

8. Wesley Johnson... I love his game and one of the best college players but as a JR he is older than some SRs and at times he looks to unselfish. He (for draft
purposes) and his team (to win the NT) need him to be more aggressive down the stretch and attack the basket. He needs to act his part as the best player on Syracuse.

9. Donatas Motiejunas... I havent seen him play a lot but from what I have seen he is sort of an Andrea Bargnani bit not as good a shooter but more quick on his feet and with more potential as a post player. A big talent but as with most international players there is always a bust risk. The good news is from everything I read teams wont have to worry about him staying in Europe unless they want him to.

10. Ed Davis... Another guy hurting himself as of late, and with UNC struggling some may even go as far as saying he isnt a lottery pick anymore but bottom line the defense and rebounding and his nose for the ball combined with athletic ability and youth keeps him in the top 10. His play for the most part has been solid and he is the last on the list of reasons why UNC is struggling, IMO.

11. Xavier Henry... Really came out of the gate strong but has had some trouble against stronger competition which worries me. The kid is only 19 years old though and even though his game and body is very polished for his age I think with experience he will be able to translate his shooting into the big game environment. What does worry me is if he will ever be to become a good enough ball handler to be much more than a spot up shooter at the next level.

12. Solomon Alabi... A very long center with great potential but he isnt your average african tall guy that has no skill. He really understands the game, especially on the defensive end but can also pass and even shoot short/mid range jumpers from the post. I think will be a serviceable center for years and thats worth a lottery pick these days.

13. Devin Ebanks... This guy is an enigma and his numbers are not very impressive but West Virginia has played arguably the toughest schedule in the nation and he just has too much talent. Also still only 20 years old, so obviously the upside is there. I think he should stay another year and polish his skills, in particular his shooting. His teammate DaSean Butler has done so and maybe Ebanks who is more naturally gifted can do the same. With that said I think he is going to enter the draft and still get picked in the lottery and unfortunately that might lead to disappointing pro career.

14. Ekpe Udoh... Absolutely love this guy, the more I see him play the more it becomes true. For all the talk about Greg Monroe this guy is almost as good a passer and can play on the perimeter as well as inside. A very good shot blocker and even a little bit in the post. The only thing about him is he is already 22 years old so may not have the upside of some other prospects but still a heck of a player

15. Patrick Patterson... A good player who has added a lot to his game since a freshmen, when most looked at him as just a guy that plays around the basket strictly to now there being a possibility that he becomes a SF at the next level. However, 10.7 points per game(thats what he is averaging the last 7 games) is unexceptable for a player of his talent. I understand its not entirely his fault but he has to find a way to be more aggressive. Of course 6/16 on 3 point shots is a good sign, as he has really stepped up his jump shooting.

Im starting to warm up to James Anderson as I almost put him on this list and he has really played well in the Big 12 from what Ive seen, and particulary has impressed me with sort of expanding his game to being a more than just a spot up shooter/scorer to now also being a solid play maker.