2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (G/Spain)
I am making this pick based on basketball ability -- not the potential situation of Rubio refusing to play for certain teams. I realize an actual GM therefore has a harder job.
NBA Teams have the smallest rosters of the major sports and hence the highest average salaries. These factors plus the somewhat underdeveloped nature of statistics (especially for measuring the quality of defense) -- and some intellectually questionable GMs have led to a lead with comical choices from time to time. More teams should go for the sure thing.
So who's the sure thing at #2? You could argue its Thabeet. The big guy will always have his height (though that might suggest the possibilities of injuries), and should soon be the league's first or second leading shot blocker. His rebounding on both sides of the ball should be very good, though his performances against a physical Dejuan Blair weren't that impressive. Harden, Hill, and Evans all look very talented; additionally, Flynn and Curry are sentimental favorites of mine as a college hoops fan, and they both have upsides as well. Any of them could be good contributors relatively soon.
But Ricky Rubio is going to be an NBA star. He has Nash-esque court vision, he hustles, he already draws fouls in a European league that calls less of them on shooting plays, he has good footwork, great ball handling skills, and has been playing pro ball since he was 14. There are well his noted downsides, especially his flat footed jump shot and questionable defensive lateral ability. However, these downsides never stopped the consistent play of Mark Jackson, second in NBA history in assists. And Rubio will be more explosive than Jackson was.
Ricky Rey, welcome to America. I hope you end up as eccentric an NBA player in personality and game as your idol, Pete Maravich.
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