5 Second Rounders Who Will Make A Difference
Chase Budinger
There is something about second round players that I just really like. Maybe it’s because they come into the league hungry and with a big chip on their shoulder for being overlooked. Most play with a sense of urgency because unlike the Draft’s first thirty, there is no guaranteed paper. Last year, second rounders like Luc Mbah a Moute, Mario Chalmers and DeAndre Jordan made some noise. Here are five late round rookies who are going to GMs pay for passing on them.
1. DeJuan Blair, Spurs: Many were shocked when this big man from Pitt slipped all the way to the 37th pick. In the summer league, Blair gave everybody a preview on what he can do by averaging 16.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. His toughness and soft touch should be a good fit with Gregg Popovich’s system. Blair has the potential to be the next Paul Millsap.
2. Chase Budinger, Rockets: With his size, athleticism and shooting touch, Chase was destined to be a lottery pick. But leading up to the draft, scouts and GMs started questioning his toughness, leadership skills and ability to put the ball on the floor. Like Blair, Budinger impressed in the Summer League averaging 17.8 points, while shooting a ridiculous 72.7 percent from three-point land. With Yao out, the Rockets will definitely welcome another scorer.
3. Jodie Meeks, Bucks: Scoring 54 points in game in college didn’t stop scouts from hating on Meeks’ game. The former Kentucky Wildcat was labeled as being too small for a shooting guard with poor shot selection and a lack of a handle. Meeks had a good showing in Vegas, but still has a lot to prove. Lucky for him, he plays on the Bucks so the opportunity for burn will be available. If he proves to be a good three-point shooter on this level, he could have a job for years to come.
4. Sam Young, Grizzlies: Just like Blair, his teammate at Pitt, Young was a projected first rounder. A third team all-american, he was one of the best players in college basketball last season. Young has a Kobe-like work ethic and is a great athlete. He had some big games in the summer league and will find himself in the rotation come fall.
5. Taylor Griffin, Suns: For the past two years, Taylor has been buried in the shadow of his famous younger brother Blake. But those who have seen Taylor play knows he has some game himself. He is a hard nosed player who rebounds and blocks shots well considering his size. Griffin reminds me a little of Matt Harpring the way he plays.
Which second rounder do you think will contribute the most?
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September 17th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
chebs says:
quik question to those commenting…who’s betta, gilbert HIBACHI arenas or chris paul
September 17th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
dh says:
@ 1. chris paul.
blair was a steal for the spurs.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
BiG ShoT BoB says:
Paul makes teamates better…Gil not so much.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
That's whats up says:
Chris paul cheats.
I can see Blair getting ROY votes, maybe 3rd or 4th place…
September 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
The REAL Tyrone says:
Ain’t no doubt y’all that Blair be a beast. Cat’s mad quick and got them ability to be glass eatin’. He gots them ability to be dishin’ dope dimes. None of them other punkasses be doin much yo.
True thugs NEVER lie.
The Real Tyrone
September 17th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Mellmeister says:
@Tyrone
if ya real… how come all ya posts seem to come from a drone… all of ‘em are th f*ckin’ same…
CP3 is betta than hibachi…
Blair would be there to upset GMs for passing on him…
September 17th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
LB says:
I’m kinda surprised Chase Budinger fell so hard. No team had use for a tall, athletic 2 guard that can shoot and pass? I thought he would have been a perfect fit with Cleveland, where he could have filled Sasha Pavlovic and Wally Szerbiak’s roles, but done it better. Instead, they chose some French dude who may or may not even be ready for the league.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
LB says:
Dejuan Blair dosent have any knee cartilage to speak of! And those cartilage less knees have to carry that 260 lb plus frame for 82 games plus practice? Of course teams will be scared! Best of luck to Dejuan Blair tho. Hope he proves all the doubters wrong.
Jodie Meeks definitely has a shot. If Damon Jones could survive in the league just shooting spot up 3s and sticking his leg out for that stupid leg kick move that he had (and getting dunked on by Lebron), then Jodie Meeks can most definitely carve out a spot in the league.
Not sure about Taylor Griffin. Whenever I saw him, he never stood out in any respect. Kinda mad that he got drafted when all-league players couldnt get even a sniff from the league.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Yoooo says:
Taylor is iight man. I remember watching a couple games and truly shocked at some of his moves. 1st step is rather quick
September 17th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
IGP says:
hey Tyrone not everyone in the nba can dish dope dimes what the hell are you talking about
September 17th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
ProphetGK says:
Did u say that Meeks was lucky to be on the Bucks?:| What kind of world are we living in?….
September 17th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Lucas says:
Taylor Griffin to Matt Harpring= GREAT COMPARISON
Yea don’t be surprised if Meeks eventually starts
September 17th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
High Release says:
Blair’s bully style of play won’t translate to the NBA. He was big for college, but not anymore! Ask Tractor Traylor. But since he’s on the Spurs, it’ll probably work for a few years.
Meeks and Budinger are good bets.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
jeremy says:
Paul punches people in the nuts…Gil not so much
September 17th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
flavur says:
Dejuan and his former college teammate Sam Young as well as Chase Budinger and his rockets teammate Jermaine Taylor those guys will definitely make an impact.
September 17th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
flavur says:
And Dejuan Summers aka the new Jeff Green a great complimentary player for Austin Daye
September 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
fan says:
Dajuan Summers good call. Multiple Positions
Marcus Thornton- Hornets need a 2guard. CP3=FGA=PTS
Danny Green – Glue guy. James Posey
Derrick Brown – Intagibles,Long,Athletic
Chase Bud – Needs a PG to be effective but talented
R.Dozier – Skillful and Playing w/ Wade anything possible
J.McClinton – He’s loaded younger Roger Mason “FIRE”
D.Cunningham – One of the most improved players i’ve seen in years. A.Miller is going to have this team looking GOOD.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
ticktock6 says:
Marcus Thornton– averaged 21 PPG in Summer League and the Hornets’ uncertain rotation at the 2 should give him a chance.
September 17th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
rangerjohn says:
@ #1 nice highjack right off the bat
@ tyrone, was that even english? let me put it this way, you know that movie rush hour? “DONT NOBODY UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!!!”
September 17th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Pdxballer says:
what about dante cunningham
September 17th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
sh!tfaced says:
LOL. Tyrone be getting lots of smack today y’all fo’ postin’ them dish dope lines fo’ sho’.
Hibachi is a second rounder already making a difference.
Maybe Lester Hudson with the Celtics, because Rondo still doesn’t have a true PG as a back up.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Mike says:
don’t sleep on Dante Cunningham
Fresh off the Presses NBA Trade Rumors
September 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
That's whats up says:
tyrone is stupid
If you’re a thug, you have to lie – thugs hustle – you have to lie
The Real Fuckrone
September 17th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
nobs6669 says:
blair for sure. having a tim duncan everyday for sure would help you personally.
chase it all depends on t-mac situation
September 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Jake says:
All 5 are good choices. Budinger was a steal for the Rockets especially now that Yao is down. It certainly helps the situation, maybe not alot but some. I’m from Pittsburgh and got a chance to see Blair and Young play alot. Both of them are absolute beasts. Blair has to be the steal of the draft even if his knees are a question mark. He is a good injection of youth that the Spurs need and playing behind the best power forward of all in Timmy D certainly is a benifit. He’ll be able to teach Blair a multitude of things.
September 17th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
JordaMnnnn! says:
Jeff Pendergraph & A.J. Price – hopefully
September 18th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Three Stacks says:
Dime, I got some fun stuff you guys can debate about. How about making a list of the best player ever at each draft position? Like the best #1 pick in history, #2, etc….all the way through the 2nd round.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Ian says:
Lol ranger nice rush hour reference.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:32 am
sh!tfaced says:
@Three Stacks
Think CNNSI and ESPN Page 2 already did that, all-time (top 30 only) and lottery era (picks 1-60). Would have been much more fun if they did here though…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/06/21/best.picks/index.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=bestpicks/080625
September 18th, 2009 at 8:53 am
fLaVa says:
I guess the real Tyrone (Biggums) reads smack daily and dishes out dope dimes for some crack…. Bring back Chapelle!
September 18th, 2009 at 8:56 am
fLaVa says:
“I Smoke Rocks”
The Real Tyrone
September 18th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Chicagorilla says:
Dishin dope dimes….. Is that reference from “the Wire”. Are you trying to say that D.Blair is the next Avon Barksdale or Bodie.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Shrink This says:
@Three Stacks,
Sounds like a good idea; hope they consider it
September 18th, 2009 at 9:10 am
The Real Tyrone says:
man 4get yall Tyrone in the buildin we run it 247 letz go
September 18th, 2009 at 9:13 am
doc says:
Good list to me.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Amar says:
gordon suton will be ROY . . . for the Utah Flash . . .
September 18th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
johnny says:
T.Griffin but no Dajuan Summers?
September 19th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Andrew says:
DaJaun Summers!! That dudes ready to go. Hes got great touch for his size.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Boomtown Fats says:
Another vote for glaring miss Marcus Thornton (but, yes, Blair will be this year’s steal).