Some things figure. The Southwest Division is considered the NBA's toughest – or at least it is by some – so it's no wonder most of the teams in it aren't involved at the top of the draft.One team isn't involved at all. But the Memphis Grizzlies – selecting at No. 2 – in some ways will dictate the direction of the thing. Will the Grizz take Ricky Rubio or not? That's the big question.
Dallas Mavericks
Picks: No. 22 (first round).
Needs: Point guard and low-post presence.
Possibilities: Patty Mills, Ty Lawson, Austin Daye, Dejuan Blair, Tyler Hansbrough, B.J. Mullens.
Put it into the equation: Jason Kidd isn't getting any younger, and you have to wonder how the Mavericks really feel about J.J. Barea. Sure, he's a nice backup, but does Dallas really believe he can begin playing a bigger role? It also wouldn't hurt to find a low-post scorer so Dirk Nowitzki doesn't have to be relied upon so much down there.
Houston Rockets
Picks: No draft picks.
Needs: Second interior scorer, more athleticism.
Possibilities: Acquiring a pick.
Put it into the equation: It will be interesting to see if the Rockets try to jump into this thing or not ... or maybe have someone do something on their behalf for July announcement. On the surface, they've got bigger fish to fry as it pertains to Ron Artest and free agency and what happens with Tracy McGrady, rumored to be on the trading block. But that's the point. It's not a lock that Artest and McGrady will be Rockets next season. And somehow the Rockets need to get younger.
Memphis Grizzlies
Picks: No. 2 (first round), No. 27 (first round, from Orlando), No. 36 (second round)
Needs: Defense and size up front, clarity at the point guard position.
Possibilities: Ricky Rubio, Hasheem Thabeet, Jrue Holiday, Jordan Hill, James Harden.
Put it into the equation: There are rumblings that Dan Fegan, the agent for Rubio, has told the Grizzlies not to draft his client. Question is: Will Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace listen? Complicating the issue is that the Grizzlies have O.J. Mayo, a combo guard who commands the ball. It sure looks like the safe pick would be center Hasheem Thabeet. Not that he's a sure thing, either.
New Orleans Hornets
Picks: No. 21 (first round)
Needs: More athleticism on the perimeter, frontcourt depth, backup point guard.
Possibilities: Patty Mills, Ty Lawson, B.J. Mullens, Terrence Williams, Sam Young.
Put it into the equation: It was a rude awakening in the first round of the playoffs for the Hornets They learned that point guard Chris Paul needs a little help handling the heavy load and that Peja Stojakovic and David West come up short in the athleticism game. More than anything, the Hornets need an active body ... come to think of it, at least one.
San Antonio Spurs
Picks: No. 37 (second round, from Golden State via Phoenix), No. 51 (second round, from New Orleans via Toronto), No. 53 (second round, from Houston).
Needs: Youth, perimeter shooting, help up front for Tim Duncan.
Possibilities: Wayne Ellington, Darren Collison, Chase Budinger, Jodie Meeks.
Put it into the equation: The Spurs have three second-round picks, and they've had some success in that round: Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola. The nice thing for the Spurs is that while they need to get younger, their "Big Three" of Duncan, Tony Parker and Ginobili is still good enough to get you 50 wins.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The Grizzlies are'nt going anywhere anytime soon. You draft Rubio because he's the best player and wait him out. I'm tired of players dictating who they'll play for.
megan fox is a hottie
First things first!!!!!!!!
get rid of mcgrady and artest...
concentrate on your young players and try to acquire an middle man that can jump,block and score, because yao ming can't do any of those consistently.