NBA Prospect Ranker

First off this is not a mock draft because there is no way to determine what team will have what pick considering the NBA has a lottery and also the fact that the season is still going on....this is simply my ranking of 10 players that are eligible to enter the NBA next season. I will try to give strengths and weaknesses to each player and compare them to either a current or past NBA player.


1. Blake Griffin (Soph. PF Oklahoma) This is not even a question.....dude is a absolute freak has great size and athleticism. I picture him being the second coming of Shawn Kemp (pre-weight gain/bastard children), some of his dunks just make me shake my head. If he can develop a solid mid ranger jumper he will be a multiple time all-star (he might be one without a jumper.....Amare or D-Howard ???)

2. Hasheem Thabeet (Jr, C UCONN) You simply cannot teach 7'3 with his athletic ability, he is not the typical 7 foot stiff, he can actually play and move very well for his size. He may not have offensive skills but he is still new to the game has only played for about 5 yrs give him time and a good coaching staff and he could be the next Mt. Mutumbo.

3. James Harden (Soph. G Arizona St.) Full grown man....dude is thick is not afraid to go hard to the rim and has the body to take hits and finish. But what sets him apart from most of slashers is he can create for his teammates and doesnt take bad shots like alot of star players do which is evident by his high field goal percentage even when being guarded every night by the other teams best defender. He doenst look like the typical NBA athlete cus he isnt cut but neither does Paul Pierce and he has done alright for him self, Harden's smoothness to his game his game might be his biggest strength because he never appears to be outta control or forcing. One thing he can work on is his overall athleticism but that will improve with better conditioning.

4. Al-Farouq Aminu (Fr. F Wake Forest) Long, Lean, and Versatile.......I usually like to be cautious of guys like him (cus they can end up being like Tyrus Thomas) but Aminu seems to be alot more skilled then the typical 6'9 pogo stick, and has shown the desire to actually play defense and rebound instead of going simply for the big block or dunk. Obviously the thing he can work on is his strenght but as he matures and grows into his body that will change. I think at his best he can be a better version of Tayshaun Prince or Tracy McGrady (if he continues to improve his stroke) at his worst though he could be a Jonathan Bender or Tyrus Thomas.

5. Jeff Teague (Soph. PG Wake Forest) I may be getting a little carried away here but I love his game, dude can jump outta the gym has an NBA body already and will bulk up more with his maturation he has a great frame. His jumper is not great but it's light yr's ahead of Russel Westbrooks who was takin at 5 last yr......is a similar athlete to Westbrook, better ball handler, and just a more natural PG. His one glaring weakness is his lack of effort on defense and can be posted up by bigger guards but his strengths outway those weaknesses. I see him as slightly smaller Russel Westbrook with better ball skills but less defense.

6. Greg Monroe (Fr. PF Georgetown) Like any other guy who has been highly recruited and rated since Junior High his desire and motor have been questioned......but those questions have gone away for the most part since coming to Georgetown.....I dont blame him it has to be hard to get up to play every night knowing that your 50% effort is enough to drop 30 and 15. Just remember that Rudy Gays desire was his biggest question mark coming into the league and now he is one of the most skilled young wing players in the league. He is not a great athlete but is quick and explosive enough to play at the next level I see him as a poor mans Chris Webber without his athletcism as a youngster.

7. Earl Clark (Jr. F Louisville) Your protypical wiry athletic forward......except that he has the ability to make great passes and stroke from the outside.......I have read comparisions to Danny Granger now I wouldnt go that far I picture more of an athletic Luke Walton but still the skill set is there and if he can put it all together he can be a very good starter in the league.

8. Chase Budinger (Jr. G/F Arizona) It seems like every yr his name is one of the most talked about......does he have the toughness and desire to play in the NBA and every yr he does things physically and shows the skills that make you say who cares this guy is a special talent. Although it is true that he can disappear in games and that goes with pretty much the whole Zona roster the past couple yrs. I think that if he can find the right home he can be a very good player in the league, just dont expect him to carry a team thats just not his style, he is a Bobby Sura or Jr. Smith type with good skills and a good athlete just something upstairs isnt there.

9. Patrick Patterson (Soph. PF Kentucky) A little undersized but overcomes that with his athleticism and hustle. He has a mans body and will continue to fill out into his big frame, is not afraid to go in and bang and has shown the ability to score inside but needs to develop a outside game if he wants to flourish at the next level due to his lack of height. Picture a more skilled Ben Wallace or a more athletic Leon Powe.

10. Brandon Jennings (Italy. PG) No guy has dropped further in my mind then this guy.....I have looked at his stats and some game video over in Italy and I am just not all that impressed......I admire his decision to do what he did what with the NBA screwing him over....but he just doesnt posses the jumper or body type to be all that effective in the league (not yet atleast) I do love his passing skills and quickness but if you remember Sebastain Telfair could really pass too and we have all seen what happened to him. I dont expect much more then a Telfair like impact....unless I am simply missing something.


ps. the reason I dont have Ricky Rabio on this list is because his buyout is so huge that he wont be coming out tell next yr.....its a Rudy Fernadez situation.



Whoever is lucky enough to get the #1 pick better take Griffin he is a Young Reign Man!