Monroe: Draft Class Deep At Forward

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http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b...n.2c2c42f.html

NBA: Draft class deep at forward
Mike Monroe

There are plenty of talented forwards in the 2008 draft class, both big and small. The best is Kansas State's Michael Beasley. Whether or not the Bulls make him the No. 1 selection Thursday, a lot of NBA GMs believe he is the most talented player, at any position.

The changing nature of the NBA game is reflected in the fact two of the top forwards are legitimate 7-footers.

Express-News NBA writer Mike Monroe breaks down his top 10 forwards in this year's class:

Michael Beasley

Kansas State

•Size: 6-foot-8, 235 pounds

•Age: 19

•Key averages: 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds

•Comment: Unanimous first-team All-American will be first or second selection. If Bulls don’t pick him, it will be because of perceived immaturity. He could be another Amare Stoudemire, or another Derrick Coleman.

Kevin Love

UCLA

•Size: 6-10, 255

•Age: 19

•Key averages: 17.5 points, 10.6 rebounds

•Comment: A first-team All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year as a freshman. He’s shown he can score inside against college bigs, but can he score against NBA bigs? One thing is certain — nobody will ever call him soft.

Joe Alexander

West Virginia

•Size: 6-8, 230

•Age: 22

•Key averages: 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds

•Comment: Impressed everyone with his strength at the pre-draft camp. Hard working, athletic and lots of potential. Probably a lottery selection.

Danilo Gallinari

Armani Jeans Milano (Italy)

•Size: 6-8, 210

•Age: 19

•Key averages: 17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds

•Comment: Has been playing professionally since 2004, in top Italian league since 2006. He can shoot it and pass it, and some compare his skills to those of Dirk Nowitzki.

Anthony Randolph

LSU

•Size: 6-10, 205

•Age: 18

•Key averages: 15.6 points, 8.5 rebounds

•Comment: He’s been moving up in recent days and is considered one of the most talented, if raw, players in the draft. Very athletic, but he will have to get in the weight room and put some pounds on his skinny frame.

Serge Ibaka

C. B. L’Hospitalet (Spain)

•Size: 6-10, 220

•Age: 18

•Key averages: 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds

•Comment: Born in Republic of Congo, he has played in Spain since 2006. Caught eyes of a lot of NBA scouts at Nike Hoops Summit in Portland this spring. Good leaper and quick.

Donte Greene

Syracuse

•Size: 6-11, 226

•Age: 20

•Key averages: 17.7 points, 7.2 rebounds

•Comment: Born in Germany, he’s lived in U.S. since 1991. Both tall and long, with potential to be an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker. Should go in mid-first round.

Darrell Arthur

Kansas

•Size: 6-9, 225

•Age: 20

•Key averages: 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds

•Comment: Key member of NCAA champions, he has both a decent mid-range jumper and some post-up moves. A dedicated defender who can guard both threes and fours.

Alexis Ajinca

Hyeres-Toulon (France)

•Size: 7-0, 220

•Age: 20

•Key averages: 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds

•Comment: Attended same Paris high school that produced Tony Parker and has been playing professionally since he was 17. Very athletic, with long arms, and he can shoot.

Nicolas Batum

Le Mans (France)

•Size: 6-8, 190

•Age: 19

•Key averages: 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds

•Comment: Recently underwent complete heart workup at Cleveland Clinic to dispel concerns about worrisome treadmill stress test results at some workouts.

[Spurtacus]

Which position isn't this draft class deep at?