Official SSN2 ProGM Rookie Draft Grades / Previews

Welcome to the first edition of the annual ProGM Rookie Draft Grades. Here, I will critique every one of the lottery picks that were chosen in this year's draft. I will also give grades to the other remaining first round picks but I won't critique those because they'll most likely be bench niggas anyway. None of this is personal and is merely my opinion so don't get butt hurt. The descriptions of the players are pretty accurate seeing as I have their ratings. If you don't agree with what I type then make sure your rookie proves me wrong. With that said, let's begin.


1. Philadelphia 76ers - Austin Stevenson, SG
Grade - B+
Description - Stevenson comes in as a day one starter for the 76ers and will have damn near the entire city on his shoulders as he leads the rebuilding process for a team that was everyone else's door mat last season. However, if there's anyone in this draft that I feel can bring an immediate spark to a franchise, it's Stevenson. This guy can flat out score from anywhere on the floor and with the lack of scorers around him on the 6ers, he looks to get a lot of opportunity to do so. The only reason this pick didn't get an A grade is more based on the fact that the 6ers already have a bevy of young SGs on their roster and could've looked elsewhere for help. Still a good pick though.

2. Sacramento Kings - Calvin Bernard, SF
Grade - C+
Description - Bernard joins a young up-and-coming team out in California that is obviously in a rebuilding stage. The Kings have invested a lot into the future of their team through trades and such and this is just another piece to what GM DB hopes to be a championship contender in the future. Bernard is a well-rounded player that doesn't do any one thing at an elite level but instead has a good mix of abilities. His post game is perhaps the strongest part of his game and he'll need to utilize it as he'll most likely be looked upon as the #1 scoring option in Sacramento. His defensive ability will also be a great help to this team improve from last season. The drawback I have with this pick is that there were simply better players still available on the board. I would have liked to see the Kings take a future Superstar with a pick this high, and not just an above average starter (which is what I project he will be).

3. New Orleans Hornets - Pablo Saramago, SG/PG
Grade - A-
Description - With this pick, the Hornets took, hands down, the best perimeter defender in this years draft. Pablo can defend the 1, 2, and 3 positions with ease and will most likely be asked to match-up with the opposing team's best wing player whenever he steps onto the floor. Look for this guy to be a mainstay on the All-NBA Defensive team in the near future. Combine his elite defense with his excellent mid-range game, and I see a bright future for this player. A fantastic pick for the Hornets who are in need of another star to go along with Irving and Cousins and I think they found one in Saramago.

4. Houston Rockets - Reggie Bell, SG
Grade - F+
Description - Reggie Bell is an above-average finisher at the rim, but besides that, he's a pretty average scorer. He posesses a decent mid-range game so if you lay off him on defense to try and stop his penetration he'll simply pull up and drain one from mid range. At this point, he is still too raw to be an NBA starter but could be effective with his scoring off the bench. This pick has been looked upon by many as the biggest reach of the first round and I couldn't agree more. When I think about what the 4th overall pick in the draft should be, I think of a franchise-changer that can transform a struggling team into a winning team just by his play on the floor and the ability to make his team mates better. I just don't see Bell having that type of impact as a member of the Rockets. This is the type of pick that can get a GM fired if it doesn't pan out.

5. Dallas Mavericks - Nelson Bishop, PG
Grade - A+
Description - Everything about Bishop's game just screams "future superstar". His elite passing ability will immediately improve the game of everyone on the floor around him. He has the ability to read defenses and make pinpoint dimes at will. He is a pass-first players that looks to get his teammates involved in the game and in scoring position to make baskets. At the NBA combine, he was clocked as the fastest player in the draft. When I look at Bishop I see a Rajon Rondo 2.0 (minus the rebounding ability). The only question is.. will he stay in Dallas? A great pick to take over the throne at PG after Nash retires. There have been rumors that he is being shopped around the league, but we will have to see what happens.

6. Atlanta Hawks - Bryce Alridge, PG
Grade - B+
Description - While the Hawks may have missed out on the Nelson Bishop sweepstakes, they claimed a great consolation prize for their organization by the name of Bryce Aldrige. While he's not quite the passer that Bishop is (don't get me wrong, he's still a good passer), his offensive game is more about scoring. Not only does he have a great ability to finish at the rim, but he can also step out and pop a 3. His ability to defend other speedy guards is also a plus. The fans out in Atlanta will enjoy watching this guy light it up for years to come.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers - Giacomo Garibaldi, SG
Grade - B
Description - Quite frankly, the best scorer in this year's draft. This guy will drop buckets all day with no effort involved and he can do it from anywhere on the court. He possesses elite quickness to get around defenders as well as a jumper that is wetter than a rainforest (GG!). However, the Cavs might have to put out a missing person's report on him once they get on the defensive side of the ball because he'll be nowhere to be found. I've also heard reports that the Cavs plan on playing him out of position at the SF position (when he's listed as an SG/PG) so that could lead to him being even more horrific on D. We'll just have to see if these reports are true or not.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Ron Thompson, PF
Grade - C
Description - Given the various holes in the Bucks roster, they could've seemingly went anywhere with this pick. They chose to take the highest-rated big man off the board in a draft that was weak in the PF/C position. Thompson possesses solid rebounding skills, but I don't expect him to put up eye popping numbers in that regard. The 7 footer will definitely block his fair share of shots but don't expect him to do much else on the defensive end. His game is geared more towards the faceup, close range jump shot. His post moves are lacking and unless they are improved, he'll be pretty easy for the defense to figure out. I feel like the Bucks were so desperately seeking another Big Man they they took the first one available instead of taking the overall best player available and that decision will come back to haunt them soon enough.

9. Oklahoma City Thunder - Sergio Ruiz, SF
Grade - F
Description - Ruiz is one of the most intriguiging prospects of this draft. Most people had him rated as a lottery pick (which is exactly what he was), but I just don't see it. He has absolutely NO JUMPSHOT whatsoever and his defensive skills are lacking to the point where I wouldn't even trust him as a starter on my team unless I had CP3, Tony Allen, and Dwight Howard to pick up the slack. He's a decent free throw shooter and is capable of drawing fouls on other defenders (which he'll need to do if he wants to score with his one-dimensional game). I think the Thunder organization really dropped the ball on this one and they will pay for it.

10. Chicago Bulls - Darrell Walls, PG
Grade - B
Description - Walls is an athletic scoring PG that relentlessly attacks the rim. Once he is on a tear, there is really no stopping him. He plays with top notch aggression on both sides of the floor and will do anything it takes to win. However, he has been known to play with a "Me first" mentality at times and hog shots. If you need a player to compare him to then think Russell Westbrook (minus the 3 pt range). He will step in immediately and take on the starting PG role in Chicago who is in dire need of an upgrade at the position.

11. Chicago Bulls - Calbert Seymour, PG
Grade - D+
Description - The reason I gave this pick a D+ grade is not because of the player, but more because of the position that the player plays. Bulls GM John BunnySayHi decided it would be a great idea to pull a Timberwolves and snag two PGs with his two lottery picks. With so many valuable players left on the board at other positions I just don't get this move. However, I will say that Seymour is another stud in this Guard-rich draft. He possesses one of the purest jump shots straight out of college that I've seen in awhile and is a better passer than Walls. Not only that, but I don't think this guy has ever missed a free throw shot in his life. Once he gets to the line, you might as well chalk up those points. His defense isn't great, but still effective enough to be a starter. However, he'll need to work on it. I am interested in seeing how the Bulls handle this competition at PG and what they will do with the loser.

12. Utah Jazz - Jeff Nealy, SG
Grade - C+
Description - With this pick, the Jazz selected a player with a decent all-around offensive repertoire. However, I would peg this player as more of a defensive player than an offensive one. He has the ability to pick the pocket of opposing defenders and get his hands into passing lanes to deflect and steal passes. His free throw shooting is a great asset to his game also. Although I do not see him as an immediate starter in the league, he will create much needed depth for the Jazz bench.

13. Detroit Pistons - Dion Riley, PF
Grade - D+
Description - It'll be a few seasons before Riley is given the chance to showcase his abilities in an NBA regular season game. He is a raw and undeveloped prospect that the Pistons hope will one day be shaped into a solid pro player. As it stands, he enters the league with average rebounding and scoring abilities. His post defense will need to improve if he ever wants to become a contributor in the league. I just don't see why the Pistons took a player that can't help them right now when they are in such dire need of it.

14. Memphis Grizzlies - Tyson Ward, SG
Grade - B-
Description - Solid pick for the Grizzlies at this point in the draft, but I doubt this player will be seeing much action as a rookie. He has deceptive quickness and speed. His mid-range game is pretty good where it stands right now but could use some improvement. His defense could also use some improvement, however he does possess an uncanny ability to rip the ball from other players. He doesn't bring any extra attributes such as passing or rebounding but if you need a scorer off the bench then I feel like Ward is only a couple of years away from being that guy.

15. Orlando Magic - Curtis Ross, PF
Grade - D
Description - I just don't get this pick at all.. With Daryl Landry basically FALLING to them at this pick, the Magic decide to go a different route on their mission to find another big man to replace the departed Dwight Howard. Perhaps they see something in this player that I failed to see because I think Landry is in another league when it comes to the PF position.

(I can't really go in depth on this player because it looks like after the draft, he just completely disappears from the game LOL. Gehad you might wanna make sure he's in the game.)

Will do the remaining teams later.

Good luck to all of the NBA teams and rookies.