<font face="Comic Sans MS">#1- Miluawkee Bucks:</font> <font color="Navy"><font face="Comic Sans MS">G/F Marvin Williams - UNC</font></font> While 90% of the mocks on the Internet have Larry harris selecting the Aussie centre from Utah, Andrew Bogut, mostly because of the Bucks' holes upfront and the presence of Mason and Redd on the wings, I strongly believe that Miluawkee will go with the most talented player in the draft, Marvin Williams. Marvin has huge upside to his game, and with his 6'9 frame, he provides unmatched versatility and talent from anyone in this draft. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#2 Atlanta Hawks:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">C Andrew Bogut - Utah</font></font> With the Bucks selecting Williams, this pick becomes an obvious one. The Hawks grab a potential All Star centre to build around along with their young, talented core of Childress and Smith. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#3 Portland Trailblazers:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">G/F Gerald Green - Gulf Shores Academy</font></font> Although scouts are projecting him tobe an NBA 3, the Blazers have been eying Green for a while now, even before the lottery. They have an up and coming guard in Telfair, and all they need is young, athletic swingman with load of potential. Gerald Green fits the equation. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#4 New Orleand Hornets:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">PG Chris Paul - Wake Forrest </font> </font> Having dropped down to the 4th pick after the lottery, word on the street is that the Hornets are unhappy with their position and would like to invovle the pick in a trade. If not, I see them selecting Chris Paul from WF. Consdiered the best gaurd in the nation, Paul has tremendous quickness and courtvision that had him as a top-3 prospect all year long. A combo of J.R.Smith and Chris Paul, look out for New Orleans in a couple of years. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#5 Charlotte Bobcats:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">PG Raymond Felton - UNC</font></font> Bickerstaff catches everyone off guard and selects the Tar Heel starting PG and a Charlotte kid in Ray Felton. Although they could have selected Deron Williams, Felton in my opinion is quicker and more athletic than Deron. As said about NO, a combination of Felton and Okafor could be very deadly down the road. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#6 Utah Jazz:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">PG Deron Williams - University Of Illinois</font></font> Deron Williams is a Jerry Sloan type of a player. Strong, smart point guard who has range. Having slipped down to the 6th spot, this pick is a no brainer for Larry O'Cannon. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#7 Toronto Raptors:</font><font face="Comic Sans MS"> <font color="Navy">G/F Antoine Wright - Texas A&M</font></font> While projected to go 10-15, I am really impressed with Antoine Wright's game and what he brings to the table. He is very athletic, agressive and has a sweet stroke. Defensively, he is tenascious and overally agressive, but he works hard on every position. After hopes of Green slipping down to 7th are slim to none, Antoine Wright is what the doctor ordered for the Raps. Babcock surprises everyone and snatches him with the 7th. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#8 New York Knicks:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Navy">C Tiago Splitter - TAU Vitoria</font></font> Splitter is as gifted of a big man as you could ask for. Given Knicks' low post problems and the fact that they have no Centre, Zeke takes the 7 footer from Brazil. The most impressive thing about him is his defence and high Basketball IQ. This pick could very well end up being a steal for the New York. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#9 Golden States Warriors:</font> <font color="Navy"><font face="Comic Sans MS">G/F Danny Granger - New Mexico</font></font> With Dunleavy being on the trading block, Warriors go with Granger to add depth to their perimeter rotation. DG is a very solid player who could contribute right away and help them make a strong push for the playoffs after acquiring Baron Davis. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#10 Los Angeles Lakers: <font color="Navy">C/PF Fran Vazquez - Unicaja Malaga (Spain)</font></font> Everybody knows of LA's need at the 1 position. However, having the chance at grabbing what is supposed to be the best international player in this draft, Mitch Kupchak gets Vazquez with the 10th. He can play both frontcourt postions and is very athletic. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#11 Orlando Magic: <font color="Navy">G/F Joey Graham - Oklahoma State</font> </font> With Hill's and Christie's constant injuries, the Magic will look to add a solid player to their perimeter rotation. Graham is the guy to do that with. Also, he is one of the most physical swingmen in the draft. HE should help the Magic tremendously in their attempt to get back to the playoffs. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#12 Los Angeles Clippers: <font color="Navy">SG Martell Webster - WA High School</font></font> The Clips go with a high school swingman, however, Webster has big upside and is considered the second best high schooler in the draft after Green. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#13 Charlotte Bobcats: <font color="Navy">C Johan Petro - Pau Orthez</font></font> Having selceted a point gaurd with the 5th, the Bobcats take a project international centre in Johan Petro to add to the core of Felton and Okafor. Petro has the size, athletism and IQ to be a very solid NBA player. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#14 Minnesota TimberWolves: <font color="Navy">PG Jarret Jack - Georgia Tech</font></font> After a terrible season ended in the missing the playoffs, the Wolves owner is unhappy with several players on the team inlcuding Sprewell, Cassel and Hudson. With Cassel being in trade rumours almost daily, the Wolves secure the PG postion with Jack, a very strong and ready guard from Georgia Tech. Gaining so much experience and responsibilty playing under coach Hewitt's system, Jack will bring intelligence and good decision making to the Wolves. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#15 New Jersey Nets: <font color="Navy">F Hakim Warrick - Syracuse</font></font> The Nets go against the odds and select a tweener from Syracuse. While they are in desperate need for size, Warrick adds another weapon on the floor for the Nets with his unbelievable athletisism. With Kidd, Carter, Jefferson and Warrick, the Nets will be the East's version of the Phoenix Suns. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#16 Toronto Raptors: <font color="Navy">PG Roko-Leni Ukic - KK Split</font></font> A very solid point guard with an excelen jump shot as well. His decision making ability and high Basketball IQ is what the Raps are looking for in a point guard, and I expect Babcock to take him at the 16th if he's available. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#17: Indiana Pacers: <font color="Navy">C Chris Taft - Pittsburgh</font></font> Really talented, athletic, and intelligent player. However, the kncok on him was his desire and mental toughness. Playing under Rick Carlisle and Kevin O'Neal while managed by Donnie Welsch and Larry Bird, I expect the Pacers to take a gamble on Taft and change the mental aspect of his game. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#18: Boston Celtics: <font color="Navy">G Rashad Mccants - UNC</font></font> Although some people might question his attitude, Mccants is talented guard who is coming out of a legendar system with coach Williams in Carolina, and have just won the NCAA championship. I don't think Danny Ainge will pass him up if the this scenario falls through. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#19: Memphis Grizzlies:<font color="Navy"> PF Sean May - UNC</font></font> Undersized and a bit overweight have been the knocks on this kid, but the guy can play. With Swift most likely leaving and Jerry West cleaning the house, which includes the often-injured-never-lived-up-to-potential Pau Gasol, West is too smart to let the go-to guy of the National chamipons slip by him with the 19th. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#20: Denver Nuggets:<font color="Navy"> F Charlie Villanueva - UCONN</font></font> Very solid player who can play the 3, 4, and 5. Athletic and tenascious on the boards, however, he has a big question mark on him as how he'll adjust ti the Pros. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#21: Phoenix Suns: <font color="Navy">C Andrew Bynum - HSS </font> </font> The last time the Suns selected a high schooler in the draft, it turned out quite well. Andrew Bynum is a big 7 footer who has big poteential and all star written all over him. If he indeed declares for the draft, Colangelo will look to secure the future and select him with the 21st. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#22 Denver Nuggets: <font color="Navy">SG Rudy Fernandez - DKV Juventut</font></font> A shooting guard who can strike it with the best of them. Given Denver's need for a shooting guard and their lack of depth on the perimeter, this seems like the ideal pick for the Nuggets at 22. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#23 Sacramento Kings: <font color="Navy">SG Kennedy Winston - Alabama</font></font> Smooth, silky guard who match up with anyone definsively. With his slashing abilty and very good jumper, he'll be a nice fit in Rick Adelman's princton offence system. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#24 Houston Rockets: <font color="Navy">PF Ike Diogu - Arizona State</font></font> While the 6'8 power forward is jumping off many mocks and seeing his stock rise everyday, I am not sure that he can contribute as effectively in the league given his size and ability. He is a very good player, and the Rockets can get him at 24, he could be a steal, his skill level is tremendous, but the doubt about his height and size might be the reason he slides down to the mid-20's. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#25 Seattle Supersonics: <font color="Navy">F Wayne Semien - Kansas </font> </font> A long and athletic 6'8 tweener who can definitly help the Sonics next season, specially if they lose some of their key players to free agency. He is one of the most successfull college players in the last few years, and he'll bring a great deal of maturity and intelligence to the Sonics squad. I like this pick for Seattle. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#26 Detroit Pistons: <font color="Navy">G Julius Hodge - NC State</font></font> Projected to go second round, Dumars uses his magic again and realizes what this guy can bring to a system similar to Detroit's. He is very smart and energatic player and was the hands down leader when NC State pulled off the major upset in March. I can see this guy shaping up to be a very good role player with Detroit. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#27 Utah Jazz: <font color="Navy">SG/SF Fransisco Garcia - Luoisville</font></font> According to the latest workouts, Garcia looked very good offensively and surprised many teams with jumpers. This will be a good pickup for the Jazz late 1st round. He is going to provide them with the scoring option they thought Kirk Snyder would bring them. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#28 San Antonio: <font color="Navy">C Channing Frye - Arizona</font></font> Most people don't expect Frye to be available at 28, however, I don't think team realize what they're going to have when they draft him. San Antonio has this luxury. Their roster is pretty loaded and they got Scola coming from Europe to join them as well, so they could afford to send Frye to Europe for a year or two. He has a lot to work on, but the skill set is very decent. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#29 Miami Heat: <font color="Navy">G/F Stefano Mencinelli - Climamio Bologna (Italy)</font></font> I really like Mencinelli as a bench player. He can really shoot the ball and plays pretty good defence. His hustle and effort will get him playing time in the NBA. He's a Brian Cardinal type of a player. <font face="Comic Sans MS">#30 New York Knicks: <font color="Navy">C Randolph Morris - Kentucky</font> </font> The Knicks end up getting another good centre who slipped to late 1st. Morris is more of a project than Splitter, but he has good instincs and quick for a player his size. He is more of an agile player than athletic, but still formed a great combo with Dwight Howard, his AAU teammate. ...
With the contract issues Tiago Splitter is having, I doubt he will go this high. I?ve also heard he might be pulling out of the draft as well. Splitter is definitely a project for the Knicks. I?m assuming by ?low post problems? you mean on defense and physically, Splitter is far from being able to defend in the post. He?s just way too thin and gets abused by players overseas.
Actually, he is pretty good defensively. He got go lateral movemnt and is a very solid team defender. As for the buyout, if he gets selected in the top 10, his salary could cover up the buyout, and it's likely he'll come here next season.
No Andray Blatche in the first round? Jarret Jack not going to the Lakers? They really like him and I think he goes to them and I think Blatche will go to Miami at 29.
Why would CHA pick Petro when they have Brezec and Ely? If anything they would take Wright/Grahm/McCants/Webster with that pick.
Channing Frye that low. I doubt that will happen. He is supposed to be a top 10 or 15 pick. He is rumored to be tearing it up in workouts with NBA Teams. 28th seems way too low.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#1- Miluawkee Bucks: G/F Marvin Williams - UNC</div> It's M-i-l-w-a-u-k-e-e <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#5 Charlotte Bobcats: PG Raymond Felton - UNC Bickerstaff catches everyone off guard and selects the Tar Heel starting PG and a Charlotte kid in Ray Felton.</div> Felton is from Latta, SC. He's not a Charlotte kid. (unless you consider Chapel Hill to be Charlotte?) <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#13 Charlotte Bobcats: C Johan Petro - Pau Orthez</div> Frontcourt depth is the one thing they do have. They HAVE to grab a wing here if they dont package this pick in a trade. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#24 Houston Rockets: PF Ike Diogu - Arizona State While the 6'8 power forward is jumping off many mocks and seeing his stock rise everyday, I am not sure that he can contribute as effectively in the league given his size and ability. He is a very good player, and the Rockets can get him at 24, he could be a steal, his skill level is tremendous, but the doubt about his height and size might be the reason he slides down to the mid-20's. #25 Seattle Supersonics: F Wayne Semien - Kansas A long and athletic 6'8 tweener who can definitly help the Sonics next season, specially if they lose some of their key players to free agency. He is one of the most successfull college players in the last few years, and he'll bring a great deal of maturity and intelligence to the Sonics squad. I like this pick for Seattle.</div> Have you seen their official measurments? Neither are tweeners. Diogu measured in at 6'9" 1/2 in shoes, not to mention his measured 7'4" wingspan and Simien actually came in at a shade under 6'10. Both are climbing fast, Diogu rumored to have now gotten interest from a couple late lottery teams because of his height. And you question his ability. He's by far the most polished offensive big man in this draft next to Bogut, and is one of the few guys who could suit up and contribute tomorrow. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">#28 San Antonio: C Channing Frye - Arizona</div> about 18-15 picks too low!
There is a rumour going around that the Suns have promised to take Ike Diogu with their 21st pick. Take It for what It's worth.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, he is pretty good defensively. He got go lateral movemnt and is a very solid team defender. As for the buyout, if he gets selected in the top 10, his salary could cover up the buyout, and it's likely he'll come here next season.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Despite a very strong effort Thursday against Fran Vazquez in a Spanish league (series) game between their teams, Splitter will likely end up waiting another season to enter the draft. He's a player with very good upside, however the buyout situation with him is very difficult, meaning that a team in the 6-12 range would have to wait a year for him. Therefore the odds of him coming over next season are low. He remains in the same boat with Nemanja Aleksandrov, Ersan Ilyasova, Martynas Andriuskevicius looking for a promise that probably wont come.</div> NBADraft.net
I'm having a hard time with this whole "Bogut is not the most talented player in the draft" notion as well as the whole "Bogut not be something special in the NBA" notion. I'm sorry, but he's proven that he has skills. Did nobody watch him in the Olympics (15 ppg, 9 rpg... 11 pts, 8 rbs on Duncan on 57% shooting)? Or how about his even better performance for the 2004-05 season at Utah (20.4 ppg, 12.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.9 bpg on 62% shooting)? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Undersized and a bit overweight have been the knocks on this kid, but the guy can play. With Swift most likely leaving and Jerry West cleaning the house, which includes the often-injured-never-lived-up-to-potential Pau Gasol, West is too smart to let the go-to guy of the National chamipons slip by him with the 19th.</div> First of all, Stromile Swift is a Center for the Grizzlies. I highly doubt Sean May can pass as an NBA Center. Second of all, since when is Pau Gasol often injured and not living up to his potential? He has played four seasons. He played a perfect 82 games in his first two and 78 in his third. It was only this season where he was injured, and it was one single injury that kept him out for about 1/4th of the year. I don't know if you could consider him "often-injured" after just one injury like that. Doesn't "often" imply that he has been seriously injured more than once? Also, Pau Gasol is only 24 years old. He's only two years older than Emeka Okafor. Besides, how are 17.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, and 2.4 apg in only 32 mpg bad numbers (McInnis, Ridnour, Jaric, Harpring, Simmons, Atkins, and other role players get more mpg)? Not only should he have been an All-Star this season, but he should have been on in his second year in the league. He'll reach those ranks eventually, probably even next year.
Considering how teams are tempted to throw a lottery pick and fat $ at a real raw Euro who lacks real PF strength-yet is expected to transform into a C,Bogut,having size,skills and a pattern of making fast progress,is a no brainer. The NEXT chance to get a quality 7-0 C may not come soon. Marvin and Green SHOULD be very good,someday. Green has a nice set of tools,but has to make a big step to the pros. Marvin has the build,needs to use it. So far his rebounding technique is poor,hid D is off and on and he needs to learn some more moves inside and get nasty in traffic. He should make those adjustments eventually,but there are guys who won't,who prefer to shoot from outside and avoid the bruises. Even if Marvin had a season that confirmed he will have a strong AND complete game,he isn't a Center. Green could push Marvin to the 3rd spot. Frye and Blatche will go by #20 and ought to go earlier. They have as much chance of delivering as the Euros,Splitter,Petro,Vasquez,probably more. Taft screwed himself being a bit apathetic on top of a small box of tools. He is not so big he can count on that alone. Warrick,Diogu and Simien may not all go top 15,but they won't all last very late either. They get results. Other factors are secondary. Not all teams are eager to pick some kind of project that could make them look like fools. McCants has scoring skills but some won't work for him in the NBA where he's a real small 2 guard. Meanwhile his D is mediocre and his ego will concern teams too. I think Granger is right on for the Warriors and agree Hodge is right in the mid 20's,in fact,the rest are pretty right on,of course it's only my opinion,check back in 3 years,maybe I'm right.