You know I couldn't let the NBA draft float by without adding my comments, especially when my favorite team had three picks (10, 21 & 40).

While I will avoid commenting on the Richard Jefferson-for-Yi Jianlian & Bobby Simmons trade (salary cap trade to give them a shot at LeBron in 2010), I will say I was extremely pleased with the Nets' draft night haul.

Picking up Brook Lopez of Stanford at 10 was a steal, to quote Jay Bilas of ESPN. They grabbed a center who could score on the block, and one who says he wants to anchor the defense 10 picks into the draft? Nice. Can't say there was a better available talent at that spot, nice pick.

Ryan Anderson was a bit of a curious pick for me at #21, especially with Darrell Arthur and (my personal hopeful at this spot) Chris Douglas-Roberts still around. Still, he put up big numbers in a strong conference. Not sure if he will be a 3 or a 4, but having a big who can shoot outside and rebound may bring back memories of Keith Van Horn.

I was really hoping Douglas Roberts would drop to #40 after he fell out of the first round, and sure enough, it happened. When he was the pick, I was walking around the newsroom with a goofy smile on my face. The kid is a winner (well, except against the Jayhawks!), slashes to the hoop, and just makes shots. I saw him several times drive in the lane and pull up for off-balance, awkward shots that he managed to drill. This is the steal of the draft, and I'm very pleased.

Overall, I give the Nets a solid B+, but that grade could skyrocket if Anderson pans out to be a real player. Lopez and CDR will be in the league for a long, long time.

BQ