NBA Draft Busts & Surprises
The sleeper in the draft could be either Sam Young or Taj Gibson. Those two are proven College guys and I see them having Big Baby type impact on playoff teams. Jennings might fall to the late lottery and might prove to be the best point guard of this pg filled draft. Hansborough will have a tough time getting shots up against big and strong guys because he relied on his strength and hops so much in College.
All Curry is is a short sharpshooter. You can find them everywhere around the league. I don't understand why you'd use a top five pick on a mediocre athlete that really doesn't have outstanding skills other than shooting. The sleeper in the draft could be either Sam Young or Taj Gibson. Those two are proven College guys and I see them having Big Baby type impact on playoff teams. Jennings might fall to the late lottery and might prove to be the best point guard of this pg filled draft. Hansborough will have a tough time getting shots up against big and strong guys because he relied on his strength and hops so much in College. If he becomes a consistent three point shooter, he might become a solid player, but I really don't see him ever averaging more than 10 pts and 5 rebounds a game. Danny Green could be a solid player. A lot of teams these days have the stars and needs role players around them and these days long defenders that can shoot are starting over skilled shot makers. (Antoine Wright starts for the Mavs..) Green could stretch the D and play solid defense like Ariza has been doing for the Lakers.
Danny Green could be alright but his shot is so streaky and he needs someone to create for him. On UNC players, I think Hansborough is actually going to be a good player, atleast a great bench player. His shot is actually pretty darn good and he'll be atleast as good as Scola imo. I'll also be a homer and say Toney Douglas as a off the bench scorer, he's not a point but he can score in bunches, is clutch, and plays great defense. Could atleast be a Eddie House type.
I don't buy Curry being quite such a high pick, I'm not sold on him as a full time point at all, his dribbling looks so slow and awkward I wouldn't trust him to handle the ball full time. He can be a great shooter like his father but he'll be a liability on defense and he's more of a Ben Gordon without the get to the basket skills.
In my point of view, I see Blair as one of the "sleepers" of the draft, however, he has already drawn so much attention so I don't think he would be considered a "sleeper" or a "surprise". I doubt that he will slip pass the 14th or 16th pick in the draft, but anything goes in the Draft. In the NCAA, he has shown that he can bang with one of the tallest players. Remember Connecticut & Pittsburgh (1st Game between the two)? That game has shown that Blair, being the undersized player (6'7" at PF/C), he was able to score and grab so much boards against Thabeet in the paint. Earning a double double, 23 points and 22 boards. His post game skills is superb, extremely strong, put up decent numbers on most nights and he loves to score in the paint.
One "sleeper" in the draft I believe might be Danny Green, the prospect from the NCAA Champions, the UNC Tar Heels. Could be one of those "6th man" type of player who can help off the bench. He can shoot, defend and is a versatile player. He has a unique package of skills that draws a lot of interest and intrigue from the teams. He is projected to be taken in the second round but he might be taken in the early - mid second round. He is definitely a potential "sleeper" pick in the draft.
I agree but Blair reminds me of Robert 'Tractor' Traylor (6th pick in 1998 Draft) the both have the same game and body types but you know in takes a special player to make it in the league at PF when your 6'7 or 6'8. I think he could be a great post player but he has to have the "want to". Im not high on Danny Green either mostly because he just came off a championship win remember Sean May, Raymond Felton
Based on your opinions, which players in the NBA Draft class of 2009 do you believe will most likely become "busts" and which players will become the "sleepers" or the "surprises" of this class?