Grading The ‘08 Draft Class
How does the 2008 draft class compare with previous years? Though we’ve seen some impressive performances from these draftees in the last week - Derrick Rose’s 26-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist Tuesday night, Michael Beasley’s 19-point, 6-rebound, 4-assist performance on Monday, O.J. Mayo’s 33-point, 3-rebound, 5-assist explosion on Monday, Jason Thompson’s 15-point, 9-rebound showing on Tuesday - this draft class doesn’t seem to have the pop top-to-bottom of the stacked ‘03, ‘04, ‘05 classes.
But a more apt comparison might be with last year’s group. Leaving Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez in the ‘07 class where they were drafted, how do these two years measure up?
Top 10’s
Even if the ‘08 draft is weighed down like lead by Danilo Gallinari, whose bad back is worse than originally imagined, there are three bona fide studs at the top of this class. Rose, Beasley and Mayo all have gotten a healthy helping of buckets to start their young careers. The fact that the ‘07 draft is plagued by Mike Conley’s jumper knocks them out of contention.
* Edge: 2008
The rest of the 1st round
This is pretty tight. Thaddeus Young, Al Thornton, Rodney Stuckey, Nick Young, Wilson Chandler, and Aaron Brooks were taken in ‘07. Jason Thompson, Anthony Randolph, Nic Batum, and even Kosta Koufos look like they’ve got potential from the ‘08 class. It’s tougher to make a pick with these guys, as many of them haven’t had a chance to prove their wares yet. But Thad and Thornton have looked tremendous thus far this season, and they get the edge.
* Edge: 2007
Round Two
No question about it - ‘07 was stronger. We stopped live blogging the draft once the second round came around this June, not only because we wanted to hit up a free buffet, but also because it felt like teams just weren’t adding anything. After Mario Chalmers and Chris Douglas-Roberts, it goes downhill pretty quickly. Carl Landry, Big Baby, Gabe Pruitt, Marc Gasol, and Ramon Sessions aren’t much to talk about, but they’ve got more upside.
* Edge: 2007
How do you think the ‘08 draft class stacks up against previous years?
November 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
doc says:
I think08 can be better.The late 1rst and 2nd roundpicks can’t be judged yet because they dont usually get any burn until the later stages of the season.Thad Young wasn’t even getting in the games until January last season.You gotta be patientits to early to tell.We just know they have some future All Stars and probaly Superstars at the top with Rose B-Easy and Juice of the hardwood.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Not Better than the Bron, Melo, Bosh, Wade Draft sorry, but they are close.
@Dime
Pat ask me to write something for him on 10/20 but I ain’t heard from yet is he on vacation or something whats good. Holla at me. I sent him too emails around 11/07 and 11/12 hope it wasn’t too late. I gotta check my email more often.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
K Dizzle says:
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too soon. It’s been 8 games
November 12th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
justice says:
Oh shytt they calling Mayo juice i can dig it,no point in wasting a great nickname like that on a clown that signed his own death certificate…
why O.J. u were free damnit, we almost had a riot for ur punk azz the first time and this is how u repay us?
November 12th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
justice says:
in 8 games we can only determine if guys suck or not, that only really takes a half…K.Love will be solid.Mayo,Rose,Beasley will be superstars even faster than any of us expected…rose could be up for all star consideration how crazy is that,mayo plays in the west wamp,wamp wait ur turn
where is bayless? augustine=tj ford=jameer nelson (not that bad)…
November 12th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Big Sia says:
DERRICK ROSE IS THE FUTURE
November 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
MSkittle says:
Rose and Beasley make this a better draft class. Hands down
November 12th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
heckler...formerly 'yallallreadyknow' says:
truth is….the draft SUCKS every year.
there’s only about 6 quality players (give or take) in the draft—on any given year nowadays.
so it doesn’t really matter. this article feed can be recycled for next year this time. and nothing will have changed
November 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
rkraicek says:
low blow on gallo. in his entire career, he’s just short (5 boards, 1 blocked shot, 2 TO, 2 fouls, and a 0-4 fg 0-2 ft night) of what greg oden has accomplished