1. Milwaukee - Andrew Bogut / C / Utah 2. Atlanta - Marvin Williams / F / North Carolina 3. Portland - Gerald Green / F / High School 4. New Orleans - Chris Paul / G / Wake Forest 5. Charlotte - Deron Williams / G / Illinois 6. Utah - Raymond Felton / G / North Carolina 7. Toronto - Danny Granger / F / New Mexico 8. New York - Channing Frye / C / Arizona 9. Golden State - Fran Vasquez / F / Spain 10. LA Lakers - Jarrett Jack / G / Georgia Tech 11. Orlando - Tiago Splitter / F / Spain 12. LA Clippers - Martell Webster / G / High School 13. Charlotte - Antoine Wright / G / Texas A&M 14. Minnesota - Joey Graham / GF / Oklahoma State 15. New Jersey - Hakim Warrick / F / Syracuse 16. Toronto - Johan Petro / C / France 17. Indiana - Rashad McCants / G / North Carolina 18. Boston - Charlie Villanueva / F / Connecticut 19. Memphis - Sean May / C / North Carolina 20. Denver - Rudy Fernandez / G / Spain 21. Phoenix - Chris Taft / F / Pittsburgh 22. Denver - Andrew Bynum / C / High School 23. Sacramento - Ike Diogu / F / Arizona State 24. Houston - Wayne Simien / F / Kansas 25. Seattle - Julius Hodge / GF / NC State 26. Detroit - Kennedy Winston / G / Alabama 27. Utah - Andray Blatche / F / High School 28. San Antonio - Angelo Gigli / F / Italy 29. Miami - Ronny Turiaf / F / Gonzaga 30. New York - Randolph Morris / C / Kentucky
Channing Frye? I don't think he's an Isiah Thomas kind of player simply because he doesn't have ceiling type of potential that Isiah Thomas loves. I think Isiah Thomas would draft Jarret Jack before he drafts Channing Frye. Also although Taft is killing himself, 21 seems kind of low. I'm sure not many GM's can pass up on someone with that potential label even though he might not ever utilize it. Overall good mock, Shard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">No way the Raptors pass up Rashad McCants for Johan Petro.</div> Well the Raptors can use a center with the upside of Petro. Even though he will be a project, a frontcourt of Petro and Bosh at their full potential is pretty scary. The Raptors also might not want a possible headcase like McCants. They did have Alston causing them enough issues.
A few things: - The Clippers will not pass up Antoine Wright their pick if he is still there. They were going to guarantee him the pick if he shut down the rest of his workouts, but Wright thought he could get a better pick than #12 so declined. - I don't think Taft has slipped that far just quite yet. It doesn't make too much sense to me that Denver would even pass up Taft at #20. It's not like Phoenix will steal Rudy from them. Phoenix has no need for a Shooting Guard. So he'd still be around at #22. - I still don't understand this whole Channing Frye thing. What's the deal? Why has this kid risen from early second-late first round stock all the way to #8? I mean, I've heard that the Warriors, Magic, and Nets were interested, but #8? That's a stretch. - I don't like Hakim Warrick to New Jersey. Warrick can play Power Forward, but he's not the kind that the Nets need. The Nets need a lowpost, rebounding presence, like May or Taft. - Where are Marko Tomas and Yaroslav Korolev? Solid otherwise though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">Well the Raptors can use a center with the upside of Petro. Even though he will be a project, a frontcourt of Petro and Bosh at their full potential is pretty scary. The Raptors also might not want a possible headcase like McCants. They did have Alston causing them enough issues.</div> Well, from what I've heard his stock has been rising, and he's been showing he's more mature now. It might be a risk, but the Raptors can't afford to wait on Petro. It will just be a big project and the Toronto media is hounding for the Raptors to make the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">A few things: - The Clippers will not pass up Antoine Wright their pick if he is still there. They were going to guarantee him the pick if he shut down the rest of his workouts, but Wright thought he could get a better pick than #12 so declined.</div> Didn't know that tidbit. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">- I still don't understand this whole Channing Frye thing. What's the deal? Why has this kid risen from early second-late first round stock all the way to #8? I mean, I've heard that the Warriors, Magic, and Nets were interested, but #8? That's a stretch.</div> Well with all the hype of him being a lottery pick lately... I figured that he might as well get picked by the Knicks since Taft has fallen short of expectations and they still are looking for a low post presence...but I do agree he should not be a lottery choice. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">- I don't like Hakim Warrick to New Jersey. Warrick can play Power Forward, but he's not the kind that the Nets need. The Nets need a lowpost, rebounding presence, like May or Taft.</div> I think that Warrick is the better player of those that you mentioned and Nets management might snatch Warrick on his talent despite his style of play. He still fills a need. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">- Where are Marko Tomas and Yaroslav Korolev?</div> I've been hearing Tomas is going to stay overseas and really isn't read for the NBA right now anyways. Korolev just missed the cut.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I've been hearing Tomas is going to stay overseas and really isn't read for the NBA right now anyways. Korolev just missed the cut.</div> Isn't ready for the NBA right now anyways? He's the most NBA ready international player in the entire draft. His team actually gives him minutes in Croatia. In one game, Tomas even put up 42 points on 8-9 three point shooting. However, you're right, he still may pull out because he signed a contract with Real Madrid recently that would force him to stay overseas for a few years. Still, a lot of teams won't be detered by that. Larry Bird has been to Croatia many times and loves Tomas, so I still wouldn't be surprised if they gave him a guarantee. As for Korolev, I think it's a mistake not putting him in the first round. Have you seen the kid play? He's an uberfreak athletically with an very well-rounded game that draws comparisons to Kirilenko. The only things hurting him are the level of competition he played against (he played on the Junior ranks for the last few years, partly because he played for his father's team) and his attitude. If he stays in the draft this year though, he will be a first round pick.
Well I dont wanna throw quotes into this post cuz there are too many up there. I'll just break it down like this. -Hakim Warrick is LOVED by the NJ brass and is a perfect fit into their system, and would be the defensive threat they need, aswell as the perfect Kidd fast break finisher. He does rebound aswell, ripped an average of over 9 his last 2 years at 'Cuse. -Wright was yes asked to shut down and was guaranteed to be picked 12 by LAC -Marko Tomas just inked a 5 year deal w/ REAL Madrid, a buyout is very costly and can not be done until year 2, however yes, Bird would Gamble on this guy. And he is probably, alongside Fran Vasquez, the only imports who could show up tomorrow and contribute. -Korolev has been dubbed as a clone to Kiralenko, same style, body, everything, but still plays in the Russian Jr. circuit, and has been rumored to be a little bit of an Ivan Drago. -Frey actually has been impressive beyond belief. The reason he is shooting up (even though seniors rarely do) is how much he "wasnt" looked at by scouts who focused a lot on Stoudamire, Adams, Shakur, and last year Igudola. He has made people take a double and look at the numbers. He measures 6-11 3/8 (7-0 5/8 in shoes) which immediatly takes notice. Second, is field goal % aswell as free throw % combined with his shooting touch out to 20 feet and scouts and GM's are saying "uh, why were we not paying closer attention." Cuz he was a quiet, underappreciated kid who just "did his job" -Taft is in for a SERIOUS fall! Yes, dropping him to 21 may not be far enough. Ike Diogu and Wayne Simien have shot up (if you read Chad Ford's article on ESPN Insider, I've been told he didnt even begin to hit where these two are climbing to) and both are being heavily favored over Taft. Simien actually measured at 6-10 and Diogu at 6-9 1/2 with a 7-4 wingspan. Word I got after calls I made IMMEDIATLY after reading that, I heard heavy rumors to LAL interested in Diogu at 10 (moving Odom back to SF). Also Orlando at 11. Simien has gotten growing interest with Indiana (17) Denver (20), maybe even higher but as far as now, it's what I know. -On an international note, heavy indications are that the following players are most likely to withdraw. Marty Andriuskavecus (sp?) I always forget. Tiago Splitter, Marko Tomas, Peja Smardzinski, and a host of others more pegged into Round 2. Thats all I have for now. Stay up, keep it real, and I'll see ya when I see ya!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I dont wanna throw quotes into this post cuz there are too many up there. I'll just break it down like this. -Hakim Warrick is LOVED by the NJ brass and is a perfect fit into their system, and would be the defensive threat they need, aswell as the perfect Kidd fast break finisher. He does rebound aswell, ripped an average of over 9 his last 2 years at 'Cuse. -Wright was yes asked to shut down and was guaranteed to be picked 12 by LAC -Marko Tomas just inked a 5 year deal w/ REAL Madrid, a buyout is very costly and can not be done until year 2, however yes, Bird would Gamble on this guy. And he is probably, alongside Fran Vasquez, the only imports who could show up tomorrow and contribute. -Korolev has been dubbed as a clone to Kiralenko, same style, body, everything, but still plays in the Russian Jr. circuit, and has been rumored to be a little bit of an Ivan Drago. -Frey actually has been impressive beyond belief. The reason he is shooting up (even though seniors rarely do) is how much he "wasnt" looked at by scouts who focused a lot on Stoudamire, Adams, Shakur, and last year Igudola. He has made people take a double and look at the numbers. He measures 6-11 3/8 (7-0 5/8 in shoes) which immediatly takes notice. Second, is field goal % aswell as free throw % combined with his shooting touch out to 20 feet and scouts and GM's are saying "uh, why were we not paying closer attention." Cuz he was a quiet, underappreciated kid who just "did his job" -Taft is in for a SERIOUS fall! Yes, dropping him to 21 may not be far enough. Ike Diogu and Wayne Simien have shot up (if you read Chad Ford's article on ESPN Insider, I've been told he didnt even begin to hit where these two are climbing to) and both are being heavily favored over Taft. Simien actually measured at 6-10 and Diogu at 6-9 1/2 with a 7-4 wingspan. Word I got after calls I made IMMEDIATLY after reading that, I heard heavy rumors to LAL interested in Diogu at 10 (moving Odom back to SF). Also Orlando at 11. Simien has gotten growing interest with Indiana (17) Denver (20), maybe even higher but as far as now, it's what I know. -On an international note, heavy indications are that the following players are most likely to withdraw. Marty Andriuskavecus (sp?) I always forget. Tiago Splitter, Marko Tomas, Peja Smardzinski, and a host of others more pegged into Round 2. Thats all I have for now. Stay up, keep it real, and I'll see ya when I see ya!</div> A month and a half ago,I was ranting on the Warrior thread that the W's should take Diogu. Several people insisted we were supposed to take Taft,cause he had "upside" and Diogu was too slow for SF.too small for PF. I had seen Taft play,waited,waited,never saw anything special in that game,despite his size,no real force inside,just a future backup. Then I saw Diogu in a game vs Arizona that went OT because Diogu carried them. Arizona won,Salim hit a zillion 3's,but Diogu clearly could play either f spot,and had great overall stuff,toughness. I felt the "mock" sites had a lag effect,were reliuctant to rapidly drop guys they had,mistakenly,annointed as top 5 while moving up some they had overlooked. Simien is less versatile than Diogu but was even a bit better on the boards. Getting about 20/11 at Kansas ought to be quite a resume when teams are guessing on imports who are not quite ready to start. Frye is a player who is not flashy but also has the smooth polish of a guy who understands what's going on. He's some 20-25lb heavier than a few years ago,has good work habits. I also saw Warrick have a hot game around 35 pt. He really attacks the rim,real quick step and no fear. He led the Ncaa in FTA's because he went to the hole so relentlessly. Diogu was #1 in FTM,better FT%,also attacks.
