NEW YORK -- Choosing potential over experience, the Orlando Magic selected high school senior Dwight Howard on Thursday night with the first pick of the NBA draft. Last 10 No. 1 Picks Year Player Team 2004 Dwight Howard Orlando 2003 LeBron James Cleveland 2002 Yao Ming Houston 2001 Kwame Brown Washington 2000 Kenyon Martin New Jersey 1999 Elton Brand Chicago 1998 Michael Olowokandi L.A. Clippers 1997 Tim Duncan San Antonio 1996 Allen Iverson Philadelphia 1995 Joe Smith Golden State Howard became the third prep player in the past four years to be picked first overall. The identity of the Magic's pick was a mystery right up until commissioner David Stern walked onstage at Madison Square Garden and delivered the news. It undoubtedly came as a welcome surprise to the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, who were hoping Connecticut junior Emeka Okafor would be available at No. 2. Howard's family leaped out of their seats when the pick was announced as Okafor's family applauded at the next table. The two players shook hands before Howard became the first player of the evening to be greeted by Stern. "This feels so good," Howard said. "I want to go out there and prove all the doubters wrong." A crowd of about 10,000 fans in Charlotte cheered when Howard was selected, and owner Bob Johnson nodded his head up and down and smiled. Fireworks then exploded in the Charlotte Coliseum and orange and white confetti and streamers rained down on the cheering crowd. "We spoke to (Magic general manager) John (Weisbrod) earlier this morning and he conveyed that (Howard) would be their pick," Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. Okafor donned an orange Bobcats cap after the second pick was announced, and a large contingent of family and friends cheered loudly from the stands. One held up a sign reading "Okafor the Olympian," a recognition of Okafor's status as a finalist for the U.S. team that will compete in Athens. Okafor averaged 17.6 points for the national champion Huskies, and his shot blocking ability made him a consensus choice to be one of the top two picks. His UConn teammate, Ben Gordon, went third to the Chicago Bulls, marking the second time in three years teammates have been selected second and third. Jay Williams and Mike Dunleavy of Duke had that distinction in 2002. High school senior Shaun Livingston of Peoria went fourth to the Los Angeles Clippers, who had traded down from No. 2 earlier in the week in a deal with the Bobcats. The baby-faced, lanky 6-foot-7 guard had originally committed to play at Duke. Wisconsin guard Devin Harris was chosen fifth by Washington, which was picking for Dallas as part of a trade agreed to Wednesday night that sends Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner to Dallas and Antawn Jamison to the Wizards. If the Mavericks keep Harris, he could be a replacement for Steve Nash at point guard if Nash leaves as a free agent. But Dallas was involved in trade discussions with several teams, and even Harris acknowledged he was "clueless" as to what the true identity of his team will be. Stanford junior Josh Childress went at No. 6 to Atlanta, which had been trying to move into the No. 1 spot.
I say great move taking howard. He is said to be the next KG. Do you really want to be known as the guy that passed on the next KG? It was a though choice, but I say great choice hope that jameer is taken soon. He is my favorite college player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tahsmith:</div><div class="quote_post">naw okafor is muuuch better , hes proven, he could be the next kwame brown and in that i mean howard</div> He wont be from the sources I have heard from brown was a player that had no work ethic to begin with when he saw the money he just quit. Howard has all the work ethic has a great back round he has so many ideas to improve the nba. He was prjected to go one or two from the start while brown his year could have gone any were from 1 to 10. Howard deserves this. Brown doesnt. I think what scared us off from okafor was his back issues even though he says that is all resolved.
