The Garden Grasp

The 2008 NBA Draft is set for Thursday, June 26th at Madison Square Garden. In preparation for the most critical draft in team history since 1985, the Garden Grasp proudly presents its first annual "Draft Primer" exclusively for Knicks fans. This in-depth look at potential first round draft prospects will provide you with a unique prospective on this year's draft class.

The Knicks enter the draft with a new President of Basketball Operations & Head Coach at the helm. Coming off a 23-59 season, the team has several needs to address but only one draft pick. Who will Donnie Walsh select on draft night? Let's take a look at the candidates:

Blue Chip Ballers

Derrick Rose, PG - University of Memphis (6'3/195 lbs) - Rose is an extraordinarily gifted passer, scorer and on-ball defender. Scouts say his jump shot is a work in progress, but Rose shot an impressive 47.7% from the field while orchestrating John Calipari's offense. Former Knick and current Memphis Tigers assistant coach Rod Strickland helped hone Rose's talent.

The Grasp: A perfect fit for Mike D'Antoni's system. Rose should be as good as Chris Paul, Deron Williams & Tony Parker.

Michael Beasley, PF - Kansas State University (6'9/235 lbs) - Beasley is a prolific scorer who rebounds well on both ends. With averages of 26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg & 1.6 bpg, he is as NBA ready as it gets.

The Grasp: Beasley has been referred to as an athletic version of Zach Randolph. Some say his attitude is reminiscent of former New Jersey Nets star, Derrick Coleman. Regardless of his disposition, Beasley should become a major force similar to Carlos Boozer & David West.

O.J. Mayo, PG/SG - University of Southern California (6'5/195 lbs) - Mayo was hyped as the next Lebron James by SLAM Magazine and put up solid numbers for USC. Mayo averaged 20.7 ppg as a freshman, but his poor assist to turnover ratio make him a far better shooting guard prospect than a classic point guard. Mayo is a ball-hawking defender with a textbook stroke from the outside and free throw line.

The Grasp: Mayo - like fellow USC alum Reggie Bush - has gotten some bad press of late, but he's a lock to go in the top 5. Mayo has an All-Star swagger and would thrive on The Garden's stage. Like D'Antoni, Mayo is from West Virginia.

Jerryd Bayless, PG/SG - University of Arizona (6'3/199 lbs) - Bayless is a superior athlete and a lethal shooter. He shot an impressive 40.7% from downtown for the Wildcats and would be ideal for D'Antoni's "seven seconds or less" offense.

The Grasp: Bayless is a taller, more disciplined version of Nate Robinson. He's drawn comparisons to fellow Wildcat, Gilbert Arenas as well.

Eric Gordon, SG - Indiana University (6'3/215 lbs) - Gordon is a big time shooter with a solid frame. He's aggressive when going to the hole (83.4% from the line) and has a tremendous first step. Gordon struggled down the stretch last season as a result of a wrist injury, but should make a solid pro prospect.

The Grasp: Gordon's game reminds many of Ben Gordon. He looks to be a better sixth man prospect than a starter, but should make an immediate contribution to the team who drafts him.

Kevin Love, PF - UCLA (6'9/255 lbs) - Love is a do-it-all forward who immediately makes a team better. He's a great passer, rebounder and effective scorer from inside & outside. Love shot an impressive 35.4% from three-point range for a power forward and averaged 10.6 rebounds per contest.

The Grasp: Love's game is an interesting mix of David Lee & Luke Walton's. He's a perfect fit for a team that likes to run.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, SG/SF - University of Memphis (6'7/200 lbs) - Derrick Rose's backcourt mate is a flat out scoring machine. The first team All-American shot 54.1% from the field and 41.3% from deep. Scouts seem concerned about his thin frame, but his aggressive & unorthodox style makes him a cross between Rip Hamilton & Manu Ginobili.

The Grasp: Douglas-Roberts will be a potent scoring option for a team looking for a boost off the bench.

D.J. Augustin, PG - University of Texas (5'11/175 lbs) - Augustin was a First-Team All-American last season. He stepped up his production after his former teammate Kevin Durant left for the NBA. Despite being badly outplayed by Derrick Rose in the NCAA Tournament, Augustin should still find himself drafted by a lottery team.

The Grasp: Augustin attended Steve Nash's basketball camp and has the tools to be a solid NBA floor general. If he were 3-4 inches taller, he would be a lock to go in the top 5.

Joe Alexander, SF - West Virginia University (6'8/230 lbs) - What's not to love about Alexander? He's a clutch performer and tremendous athlete. NBA coaches will love his work ethic & intensity. Alexander's performances in the Big East & NCAA Championship Tournament show he's ready for the big stage. He'll have to work on his three-point accuracy (only 26.8%), but his upside is tremendous.

The Grasp: Alexander is projected to go in the early teens. He could be the steal of the draft.

Russell Westbrook, PG/SG - UCLA (6'3/187 lbs) - A phenomenal athlete with great hands, Westbrook is a lock down defender and excellent in transition. His jump shot and ball-handling need work, but his ability to defend both guard spots will make him a great combo guard off the bench.

The Grasp: Westbrook's defense would remind many of Derek Harper & Charlie Ward.
High Risk/Reward Prospects

Brook Lopez, C -Stanford University (7'0/260 lbs) - Lopez is a prime pick for a team desperate for size. He has a solid skill level, but is a bit robotic and had back surgery before his freshman year. On some nights, he looks like Tim Duncan, but most nights he looks like Andrew Bogut.

The Grasp: There's something about Lopez that brings Michael Olowokandi to mind.

DeAndre Jordan, C - Texas A&M (7'0/260 lbs) - Compared to Dwight Howard & Andrew Bynum by some, Jordan is a shot blocker & big-time dunker. Unfortunately, that's all he brings to the table. He's as raw as they come and will need major coaching. Jordan's 43% free throw shooting average is hideous, but scouts see him as a project that may be worth the risk

The Grasp: The buzz around Jordan is high, but he could be the next Kwame Brown.

Anthony Randolph, SF/PF - LSU (6'11/220 lbs) - Randolph is a solid shot blocker (2.3 bpg) with great versatility. He runs the floor very well, but will need to get stronger to be effective at PF or work on his jumper to excel at SF.

The Grasp: Best case scenario, he's Lamar Odom. Worst case, he's Tim Thomas minus the three-point range.

Donte Greene, SF/PF - Syracuse University (6'10/220 lbs) - Greene reminds many of Orlando's Rashard Lewis because of the similar build and playing style. He's a lethal shooter from downtown, but has done little to round out his repertoire.

The Grasp: Teams looking for a zone buster will find Greene attractive, but will have to accept the fact he's nothing more than a perimeter player.

Nicholas Batum, SF - France (6'8/214 lbs) - Batum has all the makings of a special wing player i.e. high basketball IQ, solid mid-range jumper, tremendous athleticism & great finishing ability. On the other hand, Batum is shockingly inconsistent and has been labeled soft.

The Grasp: If Donnie Walsh can't trade for Boris Diaw, he can draft an exact replica for Mike D'Antoni.

JaVale McGee, PF/C - University of Nevada (7'0/237 lbs) - McGee has an impressive set of physical tools and has shown flashes of brilliance on both ends. Unfortunately he's too weak to bang with veteran big men and has shown lapses in concentration.

The Grasp: A team with patience could be rewarded in 2-3 years.

Danilo Gallinari, SF - Italy (6'9/209 lbs) - Gallinari has been called the next great Euro-star. Scouts say he has all the tools to be an All-Star, but the same scouts said Darko Milicic was better than Dewayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony & Chris Bosh. Gallinari is a poor defender and is enamored with the three-point shot.

The Grasp: Gallinari is projected to go in the top 8 picks. Mike D'Antoni loves Italian basketball, but this selection is far too important to risk on a potential bust. Gallinari is also under contract with his European team for the next 2 years.

Roy Hibbert, C - Georgetown University (7'2/272 lbs) - Hibbert is the latest in a long line of Georgetown big men and will certainly be selected in the first round. His 60.9% field goal percentage will attract teams looking for offense out of the post. Hibbert unfortunately is a sub-par athlete and collegiate overachiever. For a center with great size, he plays below the rim and the trajectory on his jump hook will result in countless rejections for the likes of Marcus Camby & Dwight Howard.

The Grasp: Like Mike Sweetney before him, this former Hoya's NBA career could end very quickly.

Chase Budinger, SF - University of Arizona (6'7/190 lbs) - Budinger is a pure shooter with above-average speed. Playing with a gunner like Jerryd Bayless hurt his development, but he managed to post 17 points a game. The knock on Budinger is he's stiff and has poor ball handling skills.

The Grasp: The one dimensional Budinger may find himself in the same predicament as JJ Redick.

Kosta Koufos, C - Ohio State (7'1/245 lbs) - Greg Oden's replacement is a solid post player, but struggles when he's banged around down low. He has three-point range (35% shooter), but he's known for being a black hole.

The Grasp: Koufos could become the next Mehmet Okur or the 2008 version of Maciej Lampe.

Robin Lopez, PF/C - Stanford University (7'0/255 lbs) - Brook Lopez's brother is viewed as an Anderson Varejao/Joakim Noah-type and posted solid shot blocking numbers (2.3 per game) for the Cardinal. He's projected to go in the first round, but Lopez will be an 8th or 9th man off the bench at best.
The Grasp: Can you say Harvey Grant or Jarron Collins?

Marreese Speights, PF
University of Florida (6'10/245 lbs) - He could be as good as Al Jefferson or become a valuable backup like Paul Millsap. Conditioning is a concern.

Darrell Arthur, PF
Kansas University (6'9/215 lbs) - Freakish athleticism, but wildly inconsistent. The comparisons to Stromile Swift are inevitable.

Ty Lawson, PG
University of North Carolina (5'11/175lbs) - Lighting quick guard with excellent court vision, but injury prone.

Mario Chalmers, PG
Kansas University (6'2/181 lbs) - NCAA title game hero is a tweener, but should make a solid third guard for a veteran team.

Brandon Rush, SG/SF
Kansas University (6'6/210 lbs) - Solid shooter with a great NBA frame. When healthy & focused, Rush is a very good player.

Courtney Lee, SG/SF
Western Kentucky University (6'5/200 lbs) - Outstanding athlete with a solid jumper, but lacks experience playing against top competition.

Joey Dorsey, PF/C
University of Memphis (6'9/260 lbs) - Anthony Mason-type minus the ball handling ability. Monster on the glass, but raw offensively. Prime pick for a team looking for an enforcer.

Alexis Ajinca, PF/C
France (7'1/225 lbs) - Great shot blocker, but a major project.

Jason Thompson, C
Rider University (6'11/250 lbs) - Big man with soft hands. Finesse player.

Richard Hendrix, PF
University of Alabama (6'8/250 lbs) - A bull down low, but undersized and lacks quickness.

J.J. Hickson, PF
North Carolina State University (6'9/242 lbs) - Power dunker with limited skills.