VITALS: 6-10, 260, Pittsburgh OVERVIEW: Taft, considered by many a top-15 pick in the draft, didn't make any of the three All Big East Teams this season after averaging 13.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. He led the conference in shooting (.580). The New York High School Player of the Year as a senior, Taft was the Big East Rookie of the Year and a third team All-Big East selection as a freshman, averaging 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds. LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Earlier thought to be a certain lottery selection, Taft's listless play and lack of fire have probably cost him anywhere from five to 10 spots in the draft and millions of dollars in salary on his first contract. He is still projected to be chosen anywhere from 18-26. Denver has two picks (20, 22) in that range. COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Antonio Davis COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Chris Wilcox ROLE PROJECTION: Starting power forward. POSITIVES: Taft has uncommon strength and leaping ability. He has a very muscular frame combined with the ability to leap over most players for rebounds. With the help of a strength and conditioning program in the NBA, Taft could be the type of power forward who would actually strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams. He should develop into the type of player who routinely hits double figures in points and rebounds. SHORTCOMINGS: Taft heard he would be a first-round pick after a wonderful freshman season at Pitt, then decided he could coast and not work to improve his game. Most telling: in the final minutes of several close games this season, Taft was not even on the court for the Panthers, much less a go-to guy in crunch time. His attitude needs to be improved and our guess is it will be, because nobody likes to get embarrassed in the NBA, and that is what Taft will be if he doesn't get better.
