After five years, many NBA general managers and personnel would love a second chance at the draft. The 2008 draft class produced two Olympic gold medalists, a league MVP and multiple all-stars, with many players forging solid careers after five years in the league. In addition, many members of this year’s draft class have led their teams to Finals appearances, making it a banner year for the league.
SPORTSNET.CA takes a look at the 2008 NBA Draft, and how it would be different with the hindsight we have now.
1. Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) – Chicago Bulls
* Original selection: Derrick Rose
(Rose drafted 1st by Bulls)
Rose, a Chicago native who won multiple state titles in high school seemed destined to play for the Bulls, but only emerged ahead of Michael Beasley shortly before the draft. The 24-year-old point guard won the 2011 MVP, and has emerged as one of the league’s top players. Rose led the Bulls to the 2011 Eastern Conference finals, falling short against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. It is fair to say that the explosive point guard has surpassed the considerable hype that comes with being the first overall pick. Although Rose suffered a torn ACL in the first round of the 2012 playoffs that kept him out of the 2012-13 season, one can only assume he will continue to be a force for years to come.
2. Russell Westbrook – Miami Heat
* Original selection: Michael Beasley
(Westbrook drafted 4th by Sonics)
Although it seems hard to believe in retrospect, Westbrook’s selection by the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) at the No. 4 spot was somewhat of a surprise. Westbrook’s considerable athletic talents had been stifled in UCLA’s offence, yet he emerged as a catalyst of a Thunder team that continued to ascend through the league’s ranks, culminating in a 2012 Finals loss to the Miami Heat. The league’s fortunes could have been drastically altered if the Heat selected Westbrook, instead of Beasley. Like Rose, Westbrook suffered an ACL injury that will keep him out for most of the 2013-14 season but will return as one of the league’s brightest stars.
3. Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Minnesota Timberwolves
* Original selection: O.J. Mayo
(Mayo drafted 5th by Grizzlies)
Love was drafted fifth overall by Memphis, and was traded for the third pick in the draft- O.J. Mayo- a move that the Timberwolves management must laud themselves for, daily. The two-time All-Star has an innate ability to anticipate where the ball flies off the rim, and is one of the league’s most consistent double-double threats. Love, like his UCLA teammate Westbrook, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and Minnesota can only hope that the 6’10” forward will be the face of the franchise for years to come.
4. Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers) – Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder)
* Original selection: Russell Westbrook
(Hibbert drafted 17th by Raptors)
Raptors fans must cringe every time they hear the former Georgetown product’s name, as Toronto traded his draft rights for what amounted to 41 games of Jermaine O’Neal. Hibbert’s emerging dominance was best evidenced in this year’s Eastern Conference finals, as he presented a developing hook shot in addition to his swarming defence. Hibbert was selected to the All-Star game in 2012, and one gets the feeling that there will be many more to come.
5. Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets) – Memphis Grizzlies
* Original selection: Kevin Love
(Lopez drafted 10th by Nets)
Brook, the more talented of the Lopez twins (Robin toils for New Orleans, after four years with the Phoenix Suns) has emerged as a star for the Brooklyn Nets, and is a consistent 20-point threat. Although Lopez has seen his rebounding numbers dip, he’s improved as an interior presence and recorded 2.1 blocks this year. Lopez’s developing rapport with point guard Deron Williams could fuel his career to great heights, and will try to build on his 2013 All-Star campaign.
6. Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder) – New York Knicks
* Original Selection: Danilo Gallinari
(Ibaka drafted 24th by Sonics)
Seattle lucked out when selecting the Congolese forward from Real Madrid with the 24th pick in the draft, getting one of the league’s top rim protectors and shot blockers. In fact, Ibaka was so valued by the Thunder management that they signed him to an extension before James Harden, in essence choosing the shot-blocking dynamo over the star shooting guard. Ibaka has quietly developed a decent mid-range game, and will be a catalyst on a Thunder team that is looking to contend for championships for years to come.
7. Eric Gordon (New Orleans Pelicans) – Los Angeles Clippers
* Original selection: Eric Gordon
(Gordon drafted 7th by Clippers)
In hindsight, would the Clippers draft the talented but brittle shooting guard in the seventh spot? We says yes, because he was traded in a package for Chris Paul and in this hypothetical, Paul isn’t available (remember, he was a Laker before David Stern made an unprecedented veto of the move). Gordon is an adept scorer when he’s on the court, but after being traded to New Orleans, was reportedly difficult for the team. Gordon was widely reported to have wanted to play on the Suns, but New Orleans matched Phoenix’ four-year, $58-million offer sheet. Based on his on-court contributions, Gordon claims the number seven spot.
8. Nicolas Batum (Portland Trail Blazers) – Milwaukee Bucks
* Original selection: Joe Alexander
Originally drafted 25th by Rockets
Batum, best-known for a below-the-belt shot thrown during the 2012 Olympics, has become an adept secondary scorer during his tenure in the league. The 24-year-old Frenchman averaged a career-best 14.3 points per game last season with Portland and has developed a solid offensive contributor behind the team’s two cogs, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Batum has a knack for making chase-down blocks, and his lengthy wingspan could see him become a true two-way force to be reckoned with.
9. George Hill (Indiana Pacers) – Charlotte Bobcats
* Original Selection: D. J. Augustin
(Originally drafted 26th by Spurs)
George Hill has had the benefit of playing under two outstanding coaches during his NBA career in Gregg Popovich and Frank Vogel. Hill was an unheralded prospect coming out of IUPUI but benefitted under Popovich’s tutelage in San Antonio before being traded to Indiana for the 15th pick (Kawhi Leonard) in the 2011 draft. In Hill’s first season as a full-time starter, he led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals, before losing to the Heat in seven games. At 6’2”, Hill is more imposing than he often gets credit for and is developing into a standout.
10. Ryan Anderson (New Orleans Pelicans) – New Jersey Nets
Original Selection: Brook Lopez
(Anderson drafted 21st by Nets)
Although at times he can be inefficient, Ryan Anderson showed flashes of becoming a big-time scorer in the NBA, averaging 16.2 points for New Orleans. Anderson was an asset on the Orlando Magic team that succumbed to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals. Anderson is a power forward who can shoot threes well, and as a result can stretch the floor. If New Orleans rebuilding process goes as planned, Anderson will be a vital piece.
11. Nikola Pekovic (Minnesota Timberwolves) – Indiana Pacers
*Original Selection: Jerryd Bayless
(Pekovic drafted 31st by Timberwolves)
Like teammate and fellow 2008 draftee Love, Nikola Pekovic is a double-double threat every night. While Love uses his nearly unparalleled instincts to grab boards, Pekovic uses his freakishly-strong frame to box out opponents and dominate the glass. The Montenegro native recorded a career-high 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds last year, and ought to see an increased role in coming years.
12. Mario Chalmers (Miami Heat)- Sacramento Kings
* Original Selection: Jason Thompson
(Chalmers drafted 34th by Minnesota)
Chalmers entered the draft after draining a shot that helped Kansas defeat Rose’s Memphis in the NCAA final. Often chastised as the ‘little brother’ on the Heat, Chalmers has been the starting point guard on three consecutive Finals teams, an accolade that most NBA players cannot boast. Chalmers is a streaky player, and his enigmatic play often catches the ire of teammates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Yet, when Chalmers is firing on all cylinders, few in the year’s draft class have proven more valuable.
13. Danilo Gallinari (Denver Nuggets) – Portland Trail Blazers
* Original Selection: Brandon Rush
(Gallinari drafted 6th by New York)
Before suffering a season-ending injury, Gallinari was having a career season with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 16.2 points per game, while starting all 71 games he was eligible for. The Italian has shot a scorching 42 per cent from three during his career, and can stretch the floor with his size and shooting ability. Unfortunately, like many members of the 2008 draft class, Gallinari suffered an ACL injury that will likely keep him out of most of the 2013-14 season.
14. DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)- Golden State Warriors
Original Selection: Anthony Randolph
(Jordan drafted 35th by L.A. Clippers)
A highlight packager’s favourite, DeAndre Jordan has been one of key players in the L.A. Clippers ‘Lob City’ era. Jordan’s dunk on Brandon Knight was considered by many to be the top slam of the season. Jordan averaged 7.2 rebounds and started all 82 games for the Clippers. However, Jordan must improve his horrific free-throw shooting if he is to take the next step in his development, shooting an abysmal 38.6 per cent this season.
