Talking NBA Draft; Steals, Deals And Busts

What do you make of Spainard, Ricky Rubio, is he going to be legit or not? Chris, NYC

The kid has less muscle definition than a down comforter. His hair is thicker than his chest. I think, until he gains some weight, he could get pushed around and worn down in the NBA. He’s flashy and I like a guy who loves to distribute and who doesn’t need to score to impact a game, so that I’m totally down with. Still, I’d like the guy to have a little more meat on his bones than Nicole Richie.

Would you draft Hasheem Thabeet? Karl, Virginia Beach

Yes, with the 16th pick in the second round. That’s the problem with this draft; I like several guys, just not in the spot they will go. It’s a salary cap league, so where you get guys is huge. I like the idea of a guy with a wingspan longer than Rhode Island. He does appear to get better the second time he played college teams, that’s a good sign. That to me means he’s coachable. And in a league with few centers, he’s 7’3″. You can’t teach tall. As a man, I want things that nobody else has. Who has a 7’3″ center that protects the rim and isn’t a terrible free throw shooter?

Who is the most underrated guy in draft? Mike, Portland

Jonny Flynn at Syracuse looks like an NBA point guard to me. Quick, durable and explosive, three things I like in my point guards and fireworks. He took over several college games in the Big East. He played in a major conference with above average talent and often dominated. He also has a reputation as a hard worker. Not sure if he’s great, but should have a nice, long career. In this draft, that could be enough.

What do you make of Spurs deal to get Richard Jefferson? Nick, Houston

Like it. They got better on offense and slightly worse on defense, by trading Bruce Bowen (who played Kobe tough). I still think the Lakers have more depth and length, but it does close to gap. The Spurs had injury issues all season. Let’s not forget how good they can be when healthy. The problem is, they aren’t healthy much. Greg Popovich loves smart players, so he leans on veterans. The problem is, they break down more. I think this deal gives the Spurs a two year window to beat L.A. As a fan, that’s all you can ask. When San Antonio runs Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Drew Gooden, Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson out there, fans in San Antonio know that they have a chance to win every night.

Who is going to be the biggest bust in this year’s draft? David, Seattle

You can look back on every draft and second guess half the lottery picks. I think Demar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry are fool’s gold. You have to be smart, long and dynamic to be a star in the NBA. Curry’s wingspan is equal to his height. The only other successful point guard over the past 15 years who can make that claim is Allen Iverson. Jennings is a skinny, 6’1″ point guard with an inconsistent jumper. I can find you five guys like that playing pickup on the ESPN courts right now. He can jump but who can’t in the NBA? DeRozan is a freak athletically but doesn’t seem to have it all upstairs and in his heart. A bad team will pick him and he’ll struggle to find a role.