For real hardcore NBA fans such as myself, the NBA Draft is always interesting. It comes pretty much right after the Finals, and gives an opportunity to instantly get a take on the direction of the various teams before all of the champion’s confetti has hit the ground. Well with the draft now in our rearview mirror, I thought that I should take a look at what teams did the most to improve themselves on draft day, and who did the least. First, I’ll go down the Top-5 Best Drafts, and then I’ll follow that up, duh, with the Top-5 Worst Drafts. And since I assume you’re some sort of sports know-it-all, I hypothesize that you will have an opinion, am I right? So, sound off, peeps, and let me know how little I know about basketball. In the meantime, let’s get into it, holmes!

The Top 5

1.    Miami Heat - The Heat and Pat Riley didn’t really do anything magical here, and Riles actually seemed kind of bummed to have to take Beasley. But, the dice rolled their way, even if they don’t know it, because they got a guy in Beasley who’ll probably give them 18 and 8 right out of the chute, and a proven winner and clutch performer in Mario Chalmers.

2.   New Jersey Nets – Another team that had a slew of talent fall into their clumsy hands. Getting Brook Lopez at 10 was a great bargain, Ryan Anderson performed very well in a tough conference, and I think Chris Douglas-Roberts will turn out to be a great “value pick” at 39.

3.   Minnesota Timberwolves – Though they traded a big upside guy in O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love, who I think will be solid, but unspectacular, considering they also got Mike Miller back, and got rid of the dreaded Marko Jaric contract, I’d say it was winning night for the Wolves.

4.   Los Angeles Clippers – They didn’t necessarily get a player who is going to make a huge splash, but in terms of raw talent, Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan and Mike Taylor with the 7th, 35th and 55th pick is a VERY strong triumvirate

5.   Memphis – I really thought about putting Indy here, and in the short term, maybe I should have, but I just think O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur are two high-caliber talents. Now, about that Marko Jaric contract. . .

The Bottom 5

1.    Dallas Mavericks – As if the Jason Kidd trade didn’t seem ugly enough as it is, we got another reminder on draft night, as the Mavs, having traded their 1st round pick, came away from the draft with Shan Foster. Yes, THAT Shan Foster. Expect him to be playing in the NBDL next season.

2.    Washington Wizards – Just because a dude’s mom played in the NBA doesn’t
mean you should draft him in the first round. The Wizards will learn this lesson
the hard way. JaVale McGee at 18?!? Ummmm. . . . . . .check please.

3.    New York Knicks – Maybe the Knick offices were contaminated by whatever
disease Isiah Thomas had, because veteran GM Donnie Walsh is really gung ho about his selection of Danilo Gallinari. To my recollection, they were pretty geeked about drafting Frederic Weis in 1999, too. His main claim to fame is being bitch-dunked by Vince Carter on national television during the 2000 Olympics.

4.    Denver Nuggets – Sonny Weems. Seriously. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, that’s     
all. NO, nothing ELSE!! Sometimes, the Nugget front office seems as dysfunctional as the underachieving team they put on the floor.

5.    New Orleans Hornets – People in the front office were saying stuff like “do we need to show up?” and “for the price of renting a ‘war room,’ we could all go out to a nice dinner.” Traded one pick, and sold, that’s right, sold one pick for cash. But at least now, they can go out to a REALLY nice dinner.

Sound off, constituents, and let me know what YOU have to say. And then, tune in next week, as I’ll talk about what teams are making the best moves during the free agency period, and I’ll also give you the 411 on where I’ve heard the remaining free agents are headed. You don’t wanna miss it, so pull up a chair, drop the kids off at their grandma’s, unplug the phone and sign on to Rotohog for more juicy NBA chatter from your man JD Butter next week.