Draymond Green- Forward- Michigan State
Green was one of the five best players in the nation a season ago and helped lead an undermanned Michigan State team to a top overall seed. He is a gifted shooter, scorer and leader and has one of the best motors in the draft; which usually adds up to a top ten pick, but for some reason, he is not even a lock to be drafted in the first round. He may not be the best athlete or capable of dominating on defense, but he is simply too talented to be a disappointment in the NBA. He will never be an All-Star but should become an excellent role player at the next level, which is well worth a top 20 selection.
Harrison Barnes- SF- North Carolina
Barnes has been called overrated for so long, that he has actually become underrated, as people have stopped focusing on the things he does well and just berate him for his faults. There is no denying that he is among the most gifted scorers in the draft and could easily average 20 points a game in the NBA. He is an excellent shooter and great at getting to the basket. He is also an elite athlete and put up some incredible numbers at the draft combine. Yes he fizzled in the tournament, was not as dominant as he should have been in his sophomore year and has the tendency to keep shooting even if he is struggling, but there is no doubt that he should be an excellent scorer in the NBA and has elite defensive potential. Do not forget he was listed as a possibility for the first overall pick in last year’s draft, so there is no denying his talent. He has his faults, but he has definitely become underrated and people have forgotten how good he is.
Deron Lamb- SG- Kentucky
Lamb is an excellent offensive player and is able to score off the dribble, near the hoop and is an excellent shooter from both behind the three-point line and in the mid-range area. Currently, like Green, he is a borderline first round pick, but someone this talented should be rated higher. The reason is that he took a back seat to his more famous Kentucky teammates, but there is no doubting he was a key contributor on one of the best college basketball teams of all time and he would have been the best player on more than half of the teams in the nation. He never was able to show the ability to lead a team and be the “man” in college, which hurts his stock. Regardless, he is an extremely talented player and should make a great pro.
Robbie Hummel- SF- Purdue
Two years ago, Hummel was one of the best players in college basketball, but a severe knee injury ruined a once very promising college career. He may not be the player he once was and may still feel the effects of the injury, but he has the overall offensive skill and IQ to make a very good perimeter player off the bench. He seems to be a long shot to get drafted, but he is too good not to make the NBA.
Will Barton- SG- Memphis
Barton has actually started climbing up draft boards over the last few weeks, but is still seen as a borderline first round pick. This is baffling as he is one of the most gifted scorers and athletes in the draft. He is explosive at getting to the hoop and has improved his shot greatly since first arriving in Memphis in 2010. He needs to work on passing and defense, but he is a scoring machine and his skills should translate to the NBA. At the very least he will be an excellent bench scorer, but has the upside to be much more, which makes it shocking that he is not a top 20 pick.
Scott Machado- PG- Iona
First it must be noted that in no way will Machado be a star player in the NBA, but there is no denying that he is the second best pure point in the draft. The nation’s leader in assists is a fantastic ball-handler and passer and can run a team better than anyone in this draft other than Marshall. Sure, he is not a great athlete or scorer, but he is simply too talented not to make a difference at the next level. He could become one of the best backup point guards in the NBA, yet the casual fan has no idea who he is.
Jordan Taylor- PG- Wisconsin
Taylor has a 50-50 shot of being drafted, but with his experience and talent he should be a great backup in the NBA. He is not flashy, but he plays the game right and knows how to run a team. He will never be a star, but he should make a team very happy off the bench. He is definitely worthy of a second round pick and should make an NBA roster in his rookie year.
