With the Boston Celtics looking shaky throughout the playoffs, many were surprised to see the Pistons lose in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, a lot of that may have had to do with the injury to point guard Chauncey Billups.

Either way, the Pistons have had the same core group of players ...]]> 6/2/2008 8:47:20 PM /blog/archive/2008/jun/2/season_review_detroit_pistons/12451.asp /blog/archive/2008/jun/2/season_review_san_antonio_spurs/12450.asp The San Antonio Spurs consider anything less than an NBA title a disappointment given the team they put out on the floor.

This year has to be some cause for concern for the Spurs, who started even more slowly than in recent years and looked old and tired in the Western Conference Finals.

While Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are playing at a high level, reserves like Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry appear to ...]]> 6/2/2008 8:45:34 PM /blog/archive/2008/jun/2/season_review_san_antonio_spurs/12450.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_boston_celtics/12360.asp With the No. 30 overall pick and the last selection in the first round of the NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics will probably take the best player available.

That's one of the luxuries you have as one of the best teams in the NBA with its best players locked up at least through next season.

I think center would have been a possibility here, but Kendrick Perkins has just played so well.

I think Ray Allen's struggles ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:59:02 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_boston_celtics/12360.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_detroit_pistons/12359.asp With the No. 29 overall pick in the NBA Draft, look for the Detroit Pistons to take the best player available, regardless of their position.

The Pistons have done a fantastic job in the past of finding a player in the draft who fits their system. Rodney Stuckey is just the latest example.

Some believe the Pistons will look to take a foreign player here, but I think they are a little gun-shy in that area ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:55:55 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_detroit_pistons/12359.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_memphis_grizzlies/12358.asp With the No. 28 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies can make another selection to further aid in their redevelopment.

I love the selection of J.J. Hickson here. I feel like he could become a real beast playing alongside Rudy Gay.

Either way, there is just no way you can let a player as talented as Hickson slip past this spot if he is still on the board. This is especially true when ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:49:51 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_memphis_grizzlies/12358.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_new_orleans_hornets/12357.asp With the No. 27 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets will look to find a player who can help out point guard Chris Paul and push them over the top in the Western Conference.

Chris Douglas-Roberts would be a good selection, as he could be a nice spark coming off the bench.

J.J. Hickson could team up with David West for a formidable but small front-line.

They could also look to bring in ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:47:12 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_new_orleans_hornets/12357.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_san_antonio_spurs/12356.asp With the No. 26 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs need a low-post threat next to Tim Duncan or an outside shooter.

The Spurs could choose to go back to a smaller lineup and take forward J.J. Hickson, which would move Duncan back to the center position.

With Brent Barry and Bruce Bowen both aging quickly, an outside shooter like Chris Douglas-Roberts might fit in well here.

Otherwise, the Spurs will likely select ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:42:55 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_san_antonio_spurs/12356.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_houston_rockets/12355.asp With the No. 25 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets are desperately looking for a player who can help them get over that first round playoff hump.

This team needs another true perimeter scorer outside of star Tracy McGrady.

They appear pretty much set at every other position, and can certainly manage with Rafer Alston at point guard if he can repeat last season's production.

The Rockets will probably look overseas here, but ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:39:24 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_houston_rockets/12355.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_seattle_supersonics/12354.asp With the No. 24 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Seattle Supersonics have the chance to draft yet another player to help them in their rebuilding.

General manager Sam Presti is known for liking talent overseas, so I could easily see them selecting a foreign player and letting him continue his development in his league for a few seasons before bringing him to the NBA.

I also think J.J. Hickson would be a great fit ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:36:10 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_seattle_supersonics/12354.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_utah_jazz/12353.asp With the No. 23 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz have the luxury of selecting the best player available.

The Jazz really don't have any pressing needs, as they simply need to add some more depth to their roster.

Center Roy Hibbert seems like the perfect fit here. The Jazz run methodical half-court sets and rarely run, which is exactly the type of system that fits Hibbert.

This is one place I could really ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:34:01 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_utah_jazz/12353.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_orlando_magic/12352.asp With the No. 22 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic will be looking to select a player who can put them over the top in the Eastern Conference.

I'm not sure Jameer Nelson is the answer at point guard, but no other worthy players at that position will be available this far down in the draft.

I think Bill Walker would be a solid selection here, as the Magic could use a scorer ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:31:18 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_orlando_magic/12352.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_new_jersey_nets/12351.asp With the No. 21 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets have another opportunity to either begin the rebuilding process or try and build around their remaining stars.

They will likely select a center with their first pick, so a power forward or a shooting guard would make sense here.

J.J. Hickson is an attractive possibility as a power forward, especially since he would have probably been a lottery pick had he waited ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:27:57 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_new_jersey_nets/12351.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_denver_nuggets/12350.asp With the No. 20 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets could do just about anything given their uncertain direction at this time.

The team's biggest needs are defense, a true point guard and a big man.

There won't be any valuable point guards remaining this far down in the draft, so look for the Nuggets to draft a big man to replace the aging Marcus Camby and the injury-prone and ineffective Kenyon Martin.

The ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:24:38 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_denver_nuggets/12350.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_cleveland_cavaliers/12349.asp With the No. 19 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be concerned with trying to get any kind of help they can for star LeBron James.

A lot of analysts have the Cavaliers taking center Kosta Koufos, but I'm having a hard time seeing that. He certainly wouldn't help out immediately, lacks the athleticism to have a high ceiling and is too much like Big Z.

The Cavs need a scorer to ...]]> 5/30/2008 8:22:00 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/30/nba_draft_preview_cleveland_cavaliers/12349.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_washington_wizards/12309.asp With the No. 18 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards need to find a low post player or a shooting guard.

Brendan Haywood had one of his best seasons as a pro, but he still isn't the type of scorer they want in the low post.

JaVale McGee could be a great selection, but is somewhat of a wild card and a project. The risk could end up being worth the reward, as ...]]> 5/28/2008 10:25:14 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_washington_wizards/12309.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_toronto_raptors/12308.asp With the No. 17 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors need to find another star who can give Chris Bosh some help.

Donte Greene seems like the perfect pick. He has a long way to go to fulfill all of his potential but he could one day become one of the best players in the league and a scoring machine.

He would present mismatches as a small forward and take the scoring burden ...]]> 5/28/2008 10:14:36 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_toronto_raptors/12308.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_philadelphia_76ers/12307.asp With the No. 16 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Philadephia 76ers will be looking for some low post help or an explosive scorer.

Marreese Speights is compared by many to be a poor man's Elton Brand, which would help the Sixers to add a physical player to bang around against some of the other tougher big men in the Eastern Conference.

He is actually a little taller than Brand, and could be a force ...]]> 5/28/2008 10:06:28 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_philadelphia_76ers/12307.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_phoenix_suns/12306.asp With the No. 15 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Phoenix Suns will certainly look to add a defensive stopper or a small forward in the mold of Shawn Marion.

The bigger question might be whether or not the Suns will even draft a player here, as they are known to trade their pick away to avoid paying the luxury tax.

Once again, this is another team where Russell Westbrook could be a perfect fit.

Brandon ...]]> 5/28/2008 10:02:59 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_phoenix_suns/12306.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_golden_state_warriors/12305.asp With the No. 14 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors need to find some defensive help and a low post presence.

Given their offense, center Kevin Love could be a fit here. His lack of conditioning and athleticism could be a concern in their crazy offense, but his passing ability would be a perfect fit.

Russell Westbrook would be a fantastic fit as a backup to Baron Davis and his eventual successor, ...]]> 5/28/2008 9:57:57 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_golden_state_warriors/12305.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_portland_trailblazers/12304.asp The Portland Trailblazers have the No. 13 overall pick in the NBA Draft and should be able to add a player to help them make a playoff push next season.

With Greg Oden expected back and healthy and LaMarcus Aldridge continuing to improve, the Blazers are set in the low post for more than the next decade.

The Blazers already have a good amount of depth and youth, but I don't think they are sold that ...]]> 5/28/2008 9:51:19 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_portland_trailblazers/12304.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_sacramento_kings/12303.asp With the No. 12 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings could look to add a point guard to replace Mike Bibby, who they traded to the Atlanta Hawks in the middle of last season.

The only problem is that all of the top rated point guards will likely be gone by the time the Kings select unless D.J. Augustin somehow slips past the Indiana Pacers.

However, they may be able to grab Russell ...]]> 5/28/2008 9:47:22 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/28/nba_draft_preview_sacramento_kings/12303.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_new_jersey_nets/12277.asp The New Jersey Nets have the No. 10 overall pick in the June draft.

I'm still not sure what direction the Nets are going in after they traded away point guard Jason Kidd for point guard Devin Harris and some spare parts.

The move would lead you to believe they are looking to rebuild, but they still seem committed to trying to win with players around Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.

It's hard to predict who the ...]]> 5/27/2008 11:45:31 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_new_jersey_nets/12277.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_charlotte_bobcats/12276.asp The Charlotte Bobcats have the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA Draft.

The Bobcats failed to make the playoffs yet again and it resulted in the firing of their head coach after just one year at the helm.

Charlotte needs some players who can put the ball in the basket, and will likely avoid drafting more unathletic players after witnessing the struggles of forward Adam Morrison.

Anthony Randolph, a young power forward from LSU, could be ...]]> 5/27/2008 11:42:35 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_charlotte_bobcats/12276.asp /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_milwaukee_bucks/12275.asp With the No. 8 overall pick in the NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks have plenty of work to do.

The Bucks have a center in Andrew Bogut and a shooting guard in Michael Redd, but not much else beyond that. Charlie Villanueva could be their power forward, but I'm not sure they are convinced he is talented enough to be a starter.

Mo Williams is a decent point guard, but they will probably look to upgrade ...]]> 5/27/2008 11:36:10 AM /blog/archive/2008/may/27/nba_draft_preview_milwaukee_bucks/12275.asp