NBA Draft Analysis: First Round Losers

Philadelphia 76ers: Philly could have used a shooting guard or a power forward. Naturally, it drafted the position it was strongest in: small forward. Billy King bricked here with the selection of Thaddeus Young. Iggy's not a shooting guard. Colorado State's Jason Smith is a bit of a curious selection as well - he seems to be a center more than a power forward. A center that floats to the perimeter. He's not a back-to-the-basket guy, which is what they needed. With the final pick in the first round, guard Petteri Koponen isn't a bad one, since he'll be stashed overseas. So with three picks in the first round, Philly didn't draft anyone to come in and immediately contribute. Nicely done!

Sacramento Kings: I like Spencer Hawes. Burly center from Washington with a strong low-post game. Eventually, he'll replace aging center Brad Miller. But for a team with a crazy small forward (Artest) and no talented power forwards, why would you take a center? BC's Sean Williams probably would have been a reach here, as would Josh McRoberts. But passing on small forwards like Al Thornton, Thaddeus Young and Julian Wright? Oops.

Milwaukee Bucks: The Yi Jianlian debacle is inexplicable. He refused to work out for Milwaukee because city doesn't have a large Asian population. So why would you draft him? Brandan Wright was on the board. And Milwaukee must have a lot of faith in Bobby Simmons and Ruben Patterson to pass up a stud wing player Corey Brewer.

New Orleans Hornets: Your starting small forward, Desmond Mason, is going to explore free agency. Rasual Butler could be an admirable fill-in, but clearly, your need was a shooter, because you never know what's up with Peja. So you take Julian Wright? The hell? The ultimate tweener in this draft who lacks a handle and a jumper? With Al Thornton and Nick Young on the board? Wright's a great run-and-jump athlete, but he lacks the polish and scoring of Thornton and Young.

Miami Heat: Daequan Cook? Huh? Hello? McFly? Miami's best player is Dwyane Wade. He's a shooting guard. One of the best in the NBA, in fact. Where does Cook fit in? He certainly isn't a point guard. With soon-to-be holes at point guard and small forward, Pat Riley really made a poor decision here.

See more: First Round Winners.