Draft Critique: Western Conference

Like the East's Magic, the Houston Rockets did not have a draft pick, and therefore, they do not get a grade.

THEY GET AN "A"

San Antonio Spurs (A): There is no way on EARTH DeJuan Blair should have slipped out of the first round. Did any scouts WATCH the college basketball season and see how Blair threw Hasheem Thabeet around effortlessly? He's short, I get it, but 6'7" guys have succeeded in the pros, and maybe this gives Duncan another season or two in the long run as Blair gets phased in. Their second pick, Nando De Colo, is a typical Spurs pick of a guy they won't need for a few years. All in all, a great draft, made even better by the fact that they didn't have a single first-rounder.

THEY GET A "B"

LA Clippers (B+): Tough to screw up what is, essentially, a one-person draft. There was no question Griffin was the pick, and he, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton give the Clippers a foundation to build off of in the next few years. They'll have to find a taker for either Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby, and that might be tough given their contracts, but for once, the Clippers did the right thing in the draft.

Golden State Warriors (B+): Well, Stephen Curry should give the franchise a jolt of excitement this season, at least. He was their only draft pick, and while his shooting exploits are the stuff of legend, his defense needs to improve. Regardless, he gives the Warriors a big-time scorer, and if he and Jamal Crawford can be put in as part of the consistent lineup, they'll open up shots for each other.

Denver Nuggets (B): I like the Lawson deal, as it shows they're making a commitment to the future. Chauncey Billups isn't getting younger, and the addition of Lawson shows that when he leaves, there'll be another guy ready to take over. Their second-rounder, Sergio Llull, is the other PG from Spain, and he'll probably stay over there.

Portland Trail Blazers (B): The trade they made with Dallas was dumb, and their first three draft picks were nothing to write home about. However, they made one of the best picks in the entire draft by snatching Patrick Mills near the end of the second round. He is the dream low-risk, high-reward player, and if he'd been healthy this past year, he may well have been a lottery pick.

Phoenix Suns (B): Shaq trade aside, this was a good draft for them. Earl Clark fits right in with the go-go-go style, and Taylor Griffin adds experience. They're rebuilding, and while the rookies may be given too much to carry when the season starts, for now, they're solid parts of this team.

Dallas Mavericks (B): The recruiting class is a nonspectacular one, but they get bumped up from B- to B for just how much they got to move down two spots in the draft. BJ Mullens is a prospect, but Ahmad Nivens dominated a deceptively-strong Atlantic 10 this past year and was a big sleeper.

LA Lakers (B-): Toney Douglas was a guy very few people were talking about, but he had a big run near the end of last season in getting Florida State to the NCAA tournament. With both Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher starting to rack up the mileage, this was a very nice pick. Their two second-rounders, Patrick Beverly and Chinemelu Edonu, however, were unremarkable and may not even make the team.

THEY GET A "C"

Oklahoma City Thunder (C+): James Harden is a polished player by comparison to the other guards in this draft crop, but there are doubts about just how much he can improve at the next level. Still, it was a logical pick. Their second pick, Rodrigue Beaubois, though, was a reach, and even Fran Frischilla, who is usually the first to gush about international players, admitted he hadn't played against anyone good.

Memphis Grizzlies (C+): Hasheem Thabeet is hit-or-miss. If they don't expect much out of him on the offensive end, he'll be OK (again, think a skinny Sam Dalembert). If they expect him to morph into Pau Gasol Version 2, like most of the mainstream sports media, he's in big trouble. DeMarre Carroll adds depth inside, and Sam Young was a good pick in the second round, but ultimately, they'll be remembered for how they use Thabeet.

Utah Jazz (C): Eric Maynor was a solid value pick at #20, but why would he be the guy when you've already got a dynamic point guard in Deron Williams? Their second-rounder, Goran Suton, fits the bill of a standard Utah big: White, slow, and awkward. Hey, somehow Jerry Sloan always seems to hide their weaknesses well, so if he can make it work again, kudos to him.

New Orleans Hornets (C): Much like Utah, they used their first-rounder on a point guard (Darren Collison) when they already had a young, elite athlete at that position. Collison is a good player, but they could have filled some other, more pressing needs with the pick (Wayne Ellington as a shooter, BJ Mullens as a developing post presence, etc.).

Sacramento Kings (C-): The Kings had three of the first 31 picks, so you'd think this would be higher. Not so. I'm not convinced Tyreke Evans will be the best fit; he's fast and athletic, and translates very well into a fast-paced style of play. This won't be that kind of environment. Omri Casspi is a bit of a risk, as there are some character issues to go along with his talent, and Jeff Pendergraph is very streaky (remember his complete DUD in the NCAA tourney against Syracuse?).

THEY GET A "D"

THEY GET AN "F"

THEY GET AN "INCOMPLETE"

Minnesota Timberwolves: When Minnesota took two PG's, I said to myself, "Self, something isn't right here." Indeed it wasn't, as now, there are reports Ricky Rubio may stay in Europe for a year or two. In that case, taking Jonny Flynn was actually a smart move, as it gives Minnesota some leverage and a safety option. Worst-case scenario, Rubio (or the rights to him) can be put in a trade to Phoenix, along with Al Jefferson, for Amare Stoudamire. Given the age of Steve Nash, which side wouldn't take that deal? Phoenix rebuilds in getting a potential future star at the point and a very good power forward, and Minnesota gets a marketable impact player in his prime.

Of course, if Rubio DOES show up, it presents a bit of a problem, but I'm crossing that bridge when I get there. They took Ty Lawson, but he's going to Denver. Wayne Ellington addressed the need for a shooter, and their two second-rounders, Nick Calathes and Henk Norel, were low-risk, high-reward players. I'd like to give this class a high grade, but I can't until I know what's happening with Rubio.