We will talk again later as we near the draft about whom the Clippers will take with the 7th pick. Not only is there controversy about who will be drafted 1 and 2, there are rumors that both picks are possibly on the trading block. There are rumors about the 3rd pick that many assumed would go to Brook Lopez. Many feel that he will drop and the 3rd pick could cause a disruption that could cascade right down through draft affecting who could be available when we get to the Clippers 7th pick. Most feel that pick would have been targeted at a guard. It is now possible that the best player available might be a "Big".
Oh, yes, the second round. All of the discussion about the 7th pick means we have to analyze players, both big and small for the Clippers. If they go big in the first round they are likely to go small in the second and visa versa. And there are plenty of interesting options.
First let's look at some "Bigs" who are likley to be available early in the second round.
Joey Dorsey - PF Memphis - some felt he might move up into late in the first round, but he had an inconsistant Pre-Draft Camp. He could be a good NBA role player who can rebound and play defense, but may never be a great scorer.
Omer Asik - PF/C Turkey - the Clippers have reportedly scouted and had contact with Asik overseas. Considered one of the top 7' players in Europe who could be brought in to back up Kaman.
DJ White - PF Indiana - a short but powerful PF with a 7' wingspan. Good low post game. Likes to dunk and block shots. Explosive, athletic, and a good rebounder.
Nicola Perovic - PF/C Serbia - another good Serbian big man who some think is better than Omer Asik. Good low post game with a baby hook shot. Averaged 22 and 7 with 63% from the floor.
If for some reason the Clippers go big with their first pick, they will still have a glaring need for another shooter and a point guard.
Ty Lawson - PG UNC- lightning quick and very athletic. He is my candidate to be one of the most likely players to drop out of the first round because he is short at 5'11" for the NBA and will have trouble with defensive matchups. But if you are looking for a PG guard to come off the bench who can run the break and dish the rock, Ty would be a great catch in the 2nd round.
DeMarcus Nelson - SG Duke - was supposed to be late 2nd rounder but has had an excellent Pre-Draft Camp so he may be moving up. Scored 22 points the last day and has been the leading scorer almost every day. He is a shooter with 3 point range and the Clippers like players coming out of the Duke program.
Sonny Weems - SG Arkansas - quick, athletic, likes to run the floor. Has an Al Thorton style motor that runs and runs. Can score in a variety of ways but is considered a raw talent who would need some seasoning. It is hard to predict how good he could be eventually.
Lester Hudson - SG/PG Tennesee Martin - if you are looking for a scorer, Lester might be you man. He has 3 point range and averaged over 25 PPG in college while playing the point. He has had a sucessful Pre-Draft camp, and has tremendous skill for a player who could be taken late. He was 3rd in the nation in scoring and 4th in steals.
Kyle Weaver - PG/SG Washington St. - another combo guard who is quick, a good defender, but not necessarily a great shooter. A tall guard with a big wingspan who can play both positions.
I know there are certainly other players we could consider early in the 2nd round. We do not as yet know those who could drop or who the sleepers are over in Europe. Certainly, the Clippers have shown in the past that they will take a chance in the 2nd round on unknown quantities. They haven't been very successful in the 2nd round. Most of their picks have left the team within a year or two or never made the team at all. This year could be different. This is a deep draft with some really good talent that will be available to them late.
My favorite is Lester Hudson. We need a PG, and getting one who is already a big time scorer as well and with 3 point range seems to be the best of all scenarios for the Clippers because they need a PG and a shooter. He has a killer cross over dribble and is a very creative passer helping his team mates score while scoring a lot himself. He was also 4th in the nation in steals and third in the nation in scoring. One scouting report compares him to Rodney Stuckey. We should be that lucky.
The Clippers have surprised me just about every year in the 2nd round so I am not hopefull they will take anybody on the above list. Usually I end up saying "suprise, surprise, surprise".
Jamfan
