As the NBA season winds down the playoff picture is taking shape and player’s performances during the year are coming under scrutiny. While it is easy to compare a body of work compiled through many a season in the Association, it is much harder to draw criticism when a player has no such experience for comparison.
This is the case for the rookies stemming from the 2012-13 NBA Entry Draft. The talk around the league is all about the hype of the new draft class as it boasts of such talents as Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins. While the new draft class is being heralded as being the deepest in over a decade, the draft class that was just saw it’s draftees finish out a season of professional basketball.
Last season’s draft saw Anthony Bennett go first overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Cavs had it to do over who would they have picked if they known what they known now? Would Orlando have taken Victor Oladipo? Where would Tim Hardaway Jr. get drafted if there was a redo?
For the sake of discussion we will redraft the 2012-13 NBA Lottery picks and see how it could have panned out for teams. The rankings are based on the performance of the rookie class and it does not take into account team needs at the time of the draft.
1- Michael Carter-Williams
MCW would easily lead this draft class on a redo. His rookie season has been phenomenal and he will be the runaway winner of the League’s Rookie of the Year Award. Rookie season averages of 16.7 ppg, 6.3 apg and 6.1 rpg speak for themselves as those numbers stand up against every starting point guard in the league. The Philadelphia 76ers found themselves a gem with their 11th overall pick in the draft.
2- Victor Oladipo
The Orlando Magic did use the second overall pick on Oladipo and the argument could be made that he still deserves the ranking. Oladipo struggled at times for the Magic as he was often playing out of position. Despite the struggles and inconsistencies he still managed to post 14 ppg, 4.1 apg and 4.3 rpg. Experience will be the telling factor for Oladipo as he must continue to mature and get better.
3- Giannis Antetokounmpo
The ‘Greek Freak’ sees himself go from being the 15th overall pick to being valued as the third. The reviews from this young man’s first season have been outstanding. The statistics don’t speak to this guys potential. He shows flashes of absolute brilliance on the court and he has fellow general managers raving about his performances. This huge rise in the rankings is based purely on speculation and player potential, but in a fairly weak draft Giannis could one day be the gem of the class.
4- Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway had to wait till the 24th pick to hear his name get called by the New York Knicks. For the Knicks it was maybe the steal of the draft as Hardaway Jr. thrived in the Garden. At one point during the trade speculation period, he was viewed as being the only Knick who was truly untouchable. After a slow start to the season where he was fighting for minutes, Hardaway established himself as a scorer off the bench as he had eight games with 20 or more points.
5- Trey Burke
Burke was the 9th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves and he was promptly traded to the Utah Jazz. Despite the slow start to season due to injury, he certainly blossomed late in the year. Burke has started at point in all but two games this season and he has shown some tremendous promise. Burke will finish out the season with averages around 12.8 ppg, 5.3 apg and 3.0 rpg. Once this kid finds some consistency with his jumper he will be very tough to guard.
6- Nerlens Noel
Noel was drafted with the sixth overall pick by the 76ers and due to injury he has yet to suit up for an NBA game. It speaks volumes here as to the struggles of the rest of the lottery class that a player who hasn’t given anything to the Association still projects higher than those who have a season under their belts. Noel should make a full recovery from his injury and if he can perform up to par he could potentially be the best player in this draft.
7- Anthony Bennett
The first overall draft pick has not played up to standards this season and many wonder if he will ever reach that level. Bennett runs the risk of being tabbed as the biggest draft day bust out there as he has struggled to adjust to the faster and stronger style of play in the NBA. Bennett will need to improve his footwork, drop weight and find that inner drive to be better if he hopes to stay in the league much less succeed.
8- Mason Plumlee
The Brooklyn Nets look to have snagged a keeper with their 22nd overall pick. Plumlee has shown promise as a rookie filling in for the oft-injured and always old Kevin Garnett. Once Mason started to get minutes he started producing. Using his 22 minutes a night average from March he responded by posting a slash line of 8.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg. These numbers aren’t blowing anyones hair back but in this draft class it is good enough for a top-ten ranking on a draft redo.
9- Ben McLemore
McLemore was originally the 7th overall pick in the draft as he went to Sacramento. He stepped in and has started 42 games so far this season for the Kings; however, the production over that time has been all over the map. No one is denying the athleticism here, but it takes more than just being a great athlete to succeed in the NBA. His game is very raw and unpolished but the potential is there. Question is, will it ever be reached.
10- C.J. McCollum
This is the same spot that McCallum went in the draft as the Portland Trailblazers grabbed him here as a backup to Damian Lillard. McCallum has been serviceable this season in spot minutes; however, he has failed to step up and really contribute in spot start situations. Still a very talented point guard with solid upside it will take a while for McCallum to make his mark in the NBA.
11- Steven Adams
Adams has been a great fit with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Originally drafted 12th overall, the Thunder brass must have seen something in this 7’0”. Adams has filled in nicely for the injured Kendrick Perkins and he has played well in a reserve role. Adams plays good defense and contributes when needed offensively. Soft hands around the basket and good passing skills out of the post have helped Adams see regular minutes.
12- Kelly Olynyk
The Boston Celtics have to be happy with Olynyk’s play this season as many people had him on their projected flops list. If someone had told the Celtics and Danny Ainge that Olynyk would average 7.6 ppg and 5.0 rpg in 19 minutes of action a night; they would take that production without question.
13- Cody Zeller
Zeller takes a fairly large drop here from his actual draft spot of 4rth overall all the way back to 13th. A mark of consistency this season for the Charlotte Bobcats as he has played in all 70 games so far. Despite playing in every game he plays remarkably little and his averages reflect the lack of playing time. The Bobcats are deep in the frontcourt and Zeller hasn’t been able to carve enough minutes out to make any kind of impact.
14- Alex Len
Like Zeller, Len is also fighting for minutes in a very crowded frontcourt. The Phoenix Suns drafted Len 5th overall in the draft despite having a stacked frontcourt and a depleted backcourt. Not surprisingly the minutes for Len haven’t materialized. In his restricted playing time Len has shown some promise as a 7’0” big man with soft hands and good athleticism.