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2008 NBA Draft: 2nd Round Breakdown

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Written by <a href="/celtics/104-authors-staff/1342-matt-marcantonio.html"><span>Matt Marcantonio</span></a>

Saturday, 28 June 2008 22:00

Pick by Pick Breakdown Round Two:

31. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic [C; Serbia]

According to some this pick was lock ever since the Timberwolves realized they'd be picking here. Pekovic has great size and is an intimidating defender. He does need to work on his offense a little bit and his basketball IQ could be put in question. After trading for Kevin Love, Pekovic will most likely stay put in Serbia for a year or two before making any type of impact for Minnesota.

32. Seattle Supersonics: Walter Sharpe [PF; UAB] * Traded to Detroit Pistons *

First off I thought the Pistons would have selected Kansas State's Bill Walker with the 29th selection however they traded with the Sonics and received two second round picks. With Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson I really don't understand the direction the Pistons were going here with yet another undersized, high motor power forward.

33. Portland Trailblazers: Joey Dorsey [PF; Memphis] * Traded to Houston Rockets*

Good big man for the Rockets here. However, along with second round pick in 2007 Carl Landry, undersized. Dorsey will bring instant athleticism to the Rockets off the bench. Sadly enough, Dorsey would have been a first round pick if he wasn't so old. Sounds cliche' but that's the NBA today.

34. Minnesota Timberwolves: Mario Chalmers [PG; Kansas] * Traded to Miami Heat *

Fantastic value for the Heat here. Chalmers was thought to go in the middle to late first round and somehow he fell to 34. Chalmers is the best prototypical PG in this entire draft and he can come in from day one and help out the Heat. The Heat haven't had a true PG in some years as most of the ball handling has went through Dwayne Wade. Chalmers is the better fit for Miami then what a Mayo would have been.

35. Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Jordan [C; Texas A&M]

The biggest slider in this draft, Jordan finds himself in a great situation with the Clippers. He can learn behind Elton Brand and Chris Kamen and has enough athleticism to be a star in this league. But, with that said, has no offense to speak of. He often gets out muscled defensively however he can block shots. Most of his baskets are on dunks, as he has no range to speak of.

36. Portland Trailblazers: Omer Asik [C; Turkey] * Traded to Chicago Bulls *

Why not DeAndre Jordan here? Both Jordan and Omer Asik are massive projects but why not draft the more athletic big man? The Bulls could store Asik in Turkey which will be some decent cap relief but for a team like the Bulls, who need help, cap relief isn't their biggest problem. However, Asik can block shots and defend, but his offensive game really needs some tweaking. He will be a guy to keep an eye on in a couple of seasons.

37. Milwaukee Bucks: Luc Mbah a Moute [PF; UCLA]

A little high for Moute in my opinion. Moute needs to add weight to his very skinny frame and he must develop consistently offensively. The Bucks would have been better served with a guy who fits their system better in Richard Hendrix. Saying Moute is a project, is a vast understatement.

38. Charlotte Bobcats: Kyle Weaver [SG; Washington State]

Terrific pick for the Bobcats. Weaver is a lock down defender and is exactly what they need off the bench. There will not be a drop off from Gerald Wallace and Weaver defensively. He does need to work on his shot, but with his versatility he should find a role and be effective at it. The Bobcats continue to add nice young players to their team, and adding a defensive stopper is a great idea.

39. Chicago Bulls: Sonny Weems [SG; Arkansas] * Traded to Denver Nuggets*

J.R Smith is a free agent and this could be a sign that he could be shown the door. Weems and Smith are both very similar with their games. Weems could stand to add some weight and become more efficient. He is extremely inconsistent and struggles dribbling the ball.

40. New Jersey Nets: Chris Douglas-Roberts [SG; Memphis]

Arguably the best player on the best team. Tremendous steal at this point in the draft, and the Nets are in the full circle of rebuilding. They now have a nice corp with Devin Harris at PG, Vince Carter at SG, with CDR off the bench. Then add Yi to the three and Lopez and Kristic has the bigs. Don't be surprised to see VC get traded as the Nets are eying LeBron two years from now. CDR can score and defend and could be an all-star in this league.

41. Indiana Pacers: Nathan Jawai [PF; Austrailia]

Good overseas player. Jawai is very raw but athletic for his size and will benefit staying in his country for a year or two. Jawai must improve his offense has he has no post skills to think of but Jermaine O'Neal wasn't exactly polished coming out of high school either.

42. Sacramento Kings: Sean Singletary [SG; Virginia]

Very undersized for a shooting guard. The Kings could have gotten a more stout Jamar Butler at this point in the draft.

43. Sacramento Kings: Patrick Ewing JR [SF; Georgetown]

Very solid pick here. Ewing has terrific size and can defend at the highest level. The Kings can bring Ewing along slowly and eventually pair him with Kevin Martin. Ewing must develop a more consistent jump shot and if he can do that he'll be a steal for the Kings at 43.

44. Utah Jazz: Ante Tomic [C; Croatia]

Tomic can play, but the Jazz won't see that for a while. Tomic will probably stay in Croatia for a few years as he can develop his defensive game. On the block he often gets pushed and bullied around. He could use to add some weight. However, why go back to back centers, even if Tomic will play overseas?

45. San Antonio Spurs: Goran Dragic [PG; Slovenia] * Traded to Phoenix Suns *

Great pick here by the Suns. Dragic has phenomenal size for a PG and is sneaky quick. However, like every international player, will stand to play in Slovenia for a little while. The Suns don't have a true PG behind Steve Nash so maybe Dragic is a guy that could help them in the future. He certainly has the tools to be a starter in this league.

46. Seattle Supersonics: Trent Plaisted [PF; BYU] * Traded to Detroit Pistons *

Um. Didn't the Sonics draft Sharpe? So Detroit now has four, young, big man in Maxiell, Johnson, Sharpe, and Plaisted. With the age of the swing men you would think that they would have looked at a Bill Walker, like I mentioned earlier. Three days ago he was their guy at 29. If he's sitting there at 46 and you pass on him for Plaisted, that's just stupid. I won't question Dumars often but this was a terrible draft from my vantage point. I thought the 76ers would have went with Darrell Arthur but obviously they felt differently. Speights was the best player on a team that didn't win a lot of games. He does have a ton of potential and should fine paired with Samuel Dalembert.

47. Washington Wizards: Bill Walker [SF; Kansas State] * Traded to Boston Celtics *

There is no denying that Walker has the tools to be an elite player in the NBA. He can run, defend, score, and oh yeah, JUMP. It will be interesting to see if he can stay healthy, and if he can he will be an all-star for the Boston Celtics. The two biggest needs for the C's heading into the draft, SG and SF depth. Insert Giddens and now Walker and that slow, nonathletic team, just got some kick in their step. It wasn't too long ago when Walker was a projected lottery pick.

48. Phoenix Suns: Malik Hairston [SG; Oregon] * Traded to Spurs *

To be honest, I'm not to familiar with Hairston however the Spurs need SG help being Manu. They have really added quality depth with George Hill and Hairston. It's about time they started getting younger, rather then older.

49. Golden State Warriors: Richard Hendrix [PF; Alabama]

Very good value on this pick. Hendrix is a little undersized but the Warriors, who just traded away Ike Diogu, got a very similar player to Diogu in round two. Hendrix can score on the post and hit a jump shot from time to time. I don't know if he is built for the Warriors style of play, of no defense that is. Hendrix is surprisingly a solid defender and should have an impact sooner rather then later.

50. Seattle Supersonics: DeVon Hardin [C; California]

This guy has the skill set to be an elite big man in the NBA. However, he just can never put it together. It's actually very frustrating to watch him play because a play of his ability should dominate every game. Offensively, Hardin needs to develop a face up game and a left hand. Very one dimensional which could hurt him down the road.

51. Dallas Mavericks: Shan Foster [SG; Vanderbilt]

Foster fits right in with the Mavs style of play. Foster is the best perimeter shooter in this entire draft and actually compares well to a Michael Finley, who we all know had great success in Dallas. Foster needs to develop his off the ball moves but plenty of players in the NBA don't move without the ball and are just spot up shooters. Great value here.

52. Miami Heat: Darnell Jackson [PF; Kansas] * Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers *

The guy will bring a terrific work ethic to the court and will be a hustle player off the bench. Sound familiar? However, Jackson is vastly undersized for the four position, especially in the Cleveland scheme. Really not an explosive player. His vitals won't jump out at you but he is very solid.

53. Utah Jazz: Tadija Dragicevic [SF; Serbia]

Good size, good range, good defender. And that's all I could tell you. Where's Fran when you need him? My lone question is Dragicevic and Tomic, both players aren't even going to be in this country for the next three years.

54. Houston Rockets: Maarty Leunen [PF; Oregon]

This guy can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court but that's about it. Leunen can't defend that well and yet the Rockets seem anamoured with undersized fours.

55. Portland Trailblazers: Mike Taylor [PG; Idaho Stampede] * Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers *

Very interesting draft selection. Taylor actually played in the NBDL last season but due to a bunch of complications, was eligible to be drafted this year. What the case may be, Taylor has some skills and has the potential to be a great PG in this league. The Cavaliers have been in search for a PG even since that guy named LeBron showed up. I'm not Taylor is that guy, but he certainly could be.

56. Seattle Supersonics: Sasha Kaun [C; Kansas]

What's with the Sonics and international players? Really. Kaun got a boatload of cash to play overseas so the Sonics won't see him for a while, same for first round pick Serge Ibaba. Kaun has solid size and a knack for scoring around the basket.

57. San Antonio Spurs: James Gist [PF; Maryland]

Gist is a rough, physical presence on the floor. A little on the shorter side for a power forward but he can bruise with the best of them. Should bring that physical mentality the Spurs look for from day one in the Summer league.

58. Los Angeles Lakers: Joe Crawford [SG; Kentucky]

Can you believe Crawford was the first Kentucky player drafted? What happened to that organization? The Lakers have had success later in the draft with Ronnie Turiaf being the most notable. Crawford will get to learn behind Kobe Bryant while giving them a spark off the bench every so often.

59. Detroit Pistons: Deron Washington [SF; West Virginia]

The reason the Pistons passed on Walker three times might have been the fact that they liked Washington. A physical marvel, Washington must hit the weight room, which it is unknown if Detroit has due to Amir Johnson, Rip Hamilton, and Prince. Poor joke, I know. Washington should give them that spark that Maxiell gave the Pistons two seasons ago before cracking the rotation.

60. Boston Celtics: Semih Erden [C; Turkey]

The guy has potential but never put it together. Erden will stay overseas for a very long time so the C's luck out that they don't have to pay him. Ths C's made their marks with Giddens and Walker, so the Erden pick was made due in large part to them not having to pay him.

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2008 NBA Draft: 2nd Round Breakdown
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Pick by Pick Breakdown Round Two: 31. Minnesota Timberwolves: Nikola Pekovic [C; Serbia] According to some this pick was lock ever...