With the 2014 NBA Draft officially over, let’s look at how the teams in the Southwest Division performed this evening.
New Orleans Pelicans
PICKS – None
ANALYSIS – None, since the Pelicans didn’t have any selections in this year’s draft.
GRADE – INCOMPLETE
Dallas Mavericks
PICKS – None
ANALYSIS – None, since the Mavericks didn’t have any selections in this year’s draft.
GRADE – INCOMPLETE
Memphis Grizzles
PICKS – Jordan Adams (No. 22), Jarnell Stokes (No. 35 – Acquired from the Utah Jazz)
ANALYSIS
Adams, a sophomore from UCLA, averaged 17.4 points while shooting 48.5 percent from the field (35.6 percent from beyond the arc). I like this pick. He is a very solid player who was often overlooked by analysts who favored teammates Zach LaVine and Kyle Anderson. He can put the ball in the basket and can defend extremely well. He averaged 2.6 steals after averaging 2.2 steals his freshman season. The Grizzlies pride themselves on their defense, but they also struggle on the wings offensively. I thought Clemson’s K.J. McDaniels was a candidate for this pick, but a very good pick nonetheless.
Stokes was drafted by the Utah Jazz and traded to Memphis for a 2016 second-round pick. He spent three seasons at Tennessee and averaged 13.0 points and 9.6 rebounds a game. A big body that can score inside, Stokes will bring a physical presence to a team that loves to control the paint. Solid pick.
GRADE – A
Houston Rockets
PICKS – Clint Capela (No. 25), Nick Johnson (No. 42)
ANALYSIS
The Swiss product will likely be stashed away in Europe in order for Houston to continue clearing cap space for a free agent such as Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Many call Capela one of the greatest basketball players to come out of Switzerland, but we most likely won’t see him in a Rockets uniform for a few years.
Johnson, a three-year guard from Arizona, brings experience and scoring to a offensively charged Rockets team. The 2014 Pac-12 Player of the Year could potentially become the team’s future point guard if Jeremy Lin is indeed moved to create cap space. Good pick by the Rockets.
GRADE – B
San Antonio Spurs
PICKS – Kyle Anderson (No. 30), Jordan McRae (No. 58)
ANALYSIS
With Boris Diaw set to become a free agent, the Spurs took a prospect in Anderson who is not only an exceptional passer like Diaw, but an outstanding perimeter shooter. His 3-point shooting average last season (48.3 percent) was higher than his overall field-goal percentage (48.0). We know San Antonio likes to move the ball and spread the floor, so the UCLA product is a perfect fit for this team. Defense is a concern, but he has a very high basketball IQ, something the Spurs are known for.
McRae, a four-year player from Tennessee, averaged 18.7 points his senior season while shooting 50.2 percent from the field. The Spurs like players with experience, and he certainly fits the bill. He made a huge impact in the NCAA tournament for the Volunteers.
GRADE – A
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
