Now that the NBA Finals are over (You mean 75-72 was the FINAL score?), it's time for the league's real marquee event: the June 28th draft. Clearly, the draft promises more drama than did the Spurs and the Cavs, especially after the first two picks.
Will the Atlanta Hawks, having already passed over Chris Paul and Deron Williams and still searching for a PG, select yet another frontcourt player with the third pick? How far will Joakim Noah slide after being projected as a top-three pick if he'd left college last year? Who will be the last projected lottery pick left to sweat out the first round in the 'Green Room'? Will Isiah Thomas 'discover' another unknown player with the 23rd pick, or will he deal it away? Will Philly find immediate help from any of their three first-round selections?
Assuming no deals are made—probably a rotten assumption—here's one look at how the first round could shape up.
1. Portland
Team Needs: Patience and Greg Oden. Building a nice core with Rookie-of-the-Year SG Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Travis Outlaw, and two-headed PG tandem of Jarrett Jack and Sergio Rodriguez.
Should pick: C Greg Oden. Likely to pick: Oden.
2. Seattle
Team Needs: A small forward (assuming Rashard Lewis splits via free-agency), a PG they trust, a center, a coach, and a home.
Should pick: SF Kevin Durant. Likely to pick: Durant.
3. Atlanta
Team Needs: Do-overs on the 2005 draft, center, experience, a fan base, and, probably sometime around December, a coach. There may not be a PG worthy of the #3 selection, but the Hawks can't justify selecting another forward—especially after using #5 to select the robotic Shelden Williams last year, and passing up PGs Deron Williams and Chris Paul to select Marvin Williams the year before.
Should pick: PG Mike Conley Jr. Likely to pick: PF Al Horford.
4. Memphis
Team Needs: A name change . . . any Grizzlies in Memphis? Still have Pau Gasol as well as a promising soph in Rudy Gay.
Should pick: PF Brandan Wright. Likely to pick: Wright.
5. Boston
Team Needs: More players born before the last time the team was good, another inside presence alongside the emerging Al Jefferson, a shot doctor for Rajan Rondo, Bill Russell.
Should pick: F Jeff Green. Likely to pick: Green.
6. Milwaukee
Team Needs: Defense, inside presence on both ends, durability, a coach. Terry Stotts?
Should pick: SF Corey Brewer. Likely to pick: PF Yi Jianlian.
7. Minnesota
Team Needs: Frontcourt help for Garnett, backcourt help for Garnett, a coach. Randy Wittman? Emergence of young guards Randy Foye and Rashad McCants would help immensely.
Should pick: Brewer. Likely to pick: Brewer.
8. Charlotte
Team Needs: Re-sign Gerald Wallace, reroute Jeff McInnis, inside scoring, another rebounder, someone to convince Michael Jordan the draft is on June 29th. Kwame Brown?
Should pick: PF Joakim Noah. Likely to pick: Noah.
9. Chicago
Team Needs: Low-post scoring, midrange scoring. Tyrus Thomas' continued development is crucial.
Should pick: C Spencer Hawes. Likely to pick: Hawes.
10. Sacramento
Team Needs: Someone to keep the players from laughing hysterically upon hearing new coach Reggie Theus mention defense, point guard, power forward, return to form of Brad Miller.
Should pick: Conley. Likely to pick: Conley.
11. Atlanta
More Team Needs: Do-overs on the Steve Smith-for-J.R. Rider deal, from which this franchise never recovered. Assuming they pass on Conley at #3, still need a floor general.
Should pick: PG Acie Law. Likely to pick: Law.
12. Philadelphia
Team Needs: The reacquisition of Allen Iverson so they can trade him again, power forward, shooting guard, depth, removal of Larry Brown's shadow as he itches to return to the sidelines.
Should pick: F Al Thornton. Likely to pick: G Javaris Crittenton.
13. New Orleans
Team Needs: Perimeter scoring, shooting guard, depth, another year in Oklahoma City.
Should pick: G Nick Young. Likely to pick: F Julian Wright.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
Team Needs: Point guard, shooting guard, small forward. Sam Cassell turns 38 in November; Shaun Livingston is out; Corey Maggette is being tolerated; Cuttino Mobley is slowing down.
Should pick: SF Thaddeus Young. Likely to pick: Nick Young.
15. Detroit
Team Needs: Backup power forward to fill in when Rasheed Wallace melts down, center with lateral movement and post-up game, someone who respects Flip Saunders' opinions.
Should pick: PF Josh McRoberts. Likely to pick: McRoberts.
16. Washington
Team Needs: Anything not perimeter-oriented, a center who can hoop better than he fights in practice.
Should pick: PF Jason Smith. Likely to pick: Smith.
17. New Jersey
Team Needs: Reduced minutes for Jason Collins, walking papers for Vince Carter, a sharpshooter.
Should pick: PF Nick Fazekas. Likely to pick: F Glen Davis.
18. Golden State
Team Needs: Everything they don't use, like defense, a power forward, a rebounder, and a shot blocker. Will continue to just try to outscore people. That's who they are.
Should pick: G Rudy Fernandez. Likely to pick: Thaddeus Young.
19. Los Angeles Lakers
Team Needs: Anyone who wants to play with Kobe, anyone who can find anyone who wants to play with Kobe.
Should pick: Thornton. Likely to pick: G/F Derrick Byars.
20. Miami Heat
Team Needs: A center who plays before the All-Star break, a coach who doesn't bail out when the going gets tough, small forward, guard.
Should pick: Thornton. Likely to pick: Fernandez.
21. Philadelphia
More Team Needs: A refund from Chris Webber.
Should pick: PF Tiago Splitter. Likely to pick: Thornton.
22. Charlotte
More Team Needs: Additional games against the Knicks.
Should pick: Splitter. Likely to pick: G Rodney Stuckey.
23. New York
Team Needs: Eddy Curry 25 pounds lighter, a point guard who really wants the responsibility, perimeter shooting, defense, accountability.
Should pick: SG Marco Belinelli. Likely to pick: SG Morris Almond.
24. Phoenix
Team Needs: Backup point guard, inside toughness, rebounding.
Should pick: PG Aaron Brooks. Likely to pick: Splitter.
25. Utah
Team Needs: Shooting guard, inside scoring, ability to say 'no' to Greg Ostertag, who is interested in a comeback attempt.
Should pick: SG Daequan Cook. Likely to pick: Belinelli.
26. Houston
Team Needs: Sedatives for Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, now free of Jeff Van Gundy's youth-league offense, power forward, athleticism.
Should pick: F/C Marc Gasol. Likely to pick: PF Sean Williams.
27. Detroit
More Team Needs: PG in case Chauncey Billups bolts via free agency.
Should pick: PG Aaron Brooks. Likely to pick: PG Gabe Pruitt.
28. San Antonio
Team Needs: Thumb measurement for Tim Duncan, third hand for Robert Horry, depth.
Should pick: SF/SG Alando Tucker. Likely to pick: Nick Fazekas.
29. Phoenix
More Team Needs: Anyone who can get the ball past midcourt while Nash rests.
Should pick: Aaron Brooks. Likely to pick: Gasol.
30. Philadelphia
More Team Needs: For at least two of their three picks to contribute next season.
Should pick: Daequan Cook. Likely to pick: Cook.
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about 1 year ago
No problem with him as the #3, but I can see why Horford has become the general consensus.
I wonder if Conley's stock would be as high if he had played with a healthy Oden for a full season. I haven't heard anyone question whether he can do it on his own, because he had the chance to prove that he could for the better portion of the season. And then again in tournament time with Oden saddled by foul trouble. I know they're good friends... perhaps the best thing Oden ever did for the kid was sit out at times this season and let his point guard shine.
about 1 year ago
I expect Wright to fall hard on draft night (if he gets by the Bucks). He's at least 2 or 3 years away from helping a team - something that not a lot of the lottery clubs can stomach. Don't be shocked if he slips to 10 or below.
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