Chad Ford: Hey everyone, thanks for coming. We'll spend the first 15 or so minutes talking NBA and then move onto the NBA draft. The first NBA draft camp in Portsmouth is going on today, guys are starting to declare for the draft ... the draft is finally rolling.

trims(holmdel,NJ): Can the New jersey Nets win the eastern conference? Kidd and Jefferson have proven playoff toughness. Vince Carter has not.Vince is the Key yes or no?

SportsNation Chad Ford: If the Pistons weren't in the East ... I'd say yes. I think they're playing better ball than the Heat and would probably take them in a seven game series. I think the Nets could push the Pistons to a seven game series, but I think Detroit comes out on top.

Steve Chicago: Is it more beneficial for a team such as the Bulls to make the playoffs, or miss the playoffs and get a lottery pick?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Playoffs. Bulls have a young team and the playoff experience will be good for them. Besides there's not that much difference between the 12th pick in the draft and the 20th. Lots of parity this year. I honestly think that the Bulls will try to package their picks this summer in a trade if they can. They have enough young players. What they need right now is some veteran balance.

Eric(Indy): Will my Pacers even make the playoffs the way they are playing right now?

SportsNation Chad Ford: I think so. Jermaine O'Neal is finally back. It's going to take a little bit of time to reintergrate everyone back in. But if the Pacers are all healthy come playoff time, they could give whoever they face (probably the Heat or the Nets) a very difficult time.

Kevin (Villanova, PA): Chad, how impressed are you with the Clippers' past 2 wins? They never should have given up 77 in the 1st half to Denver but their desire to compete was amazing.

SportsNation Chad Ford: They look great, but hate that first round match-up with Dallas that's coming. It's a shame, they're the fourth best team in the West, but will have to play the second best team in the West in the first round. But the future is bright in LA. I was really impressed with the way they handled the Suns in Phoenix last night. I thought Shawn Livingston outplayed Steve Nash using his length to give Nash all sorts of problems. That could be key for them down the road.

Dan (Michigan): How impressive was Sacramentos win last night vs. San Antonio?

SportsNation Chad Ford: The Kings are obviously much better than an eighth seed. Had they had Artest all year, they would've given the Suns a run for the Pacific Division title. I still like the Spurs in a 7 game series, but wouldn't be surprised if it went all 7 games.

Anthony (Durham, NC): Congrats to your crew for updating the lottery simulator to include the Sixers within MINUTES of their loss last night...but my question is why in the world would they take a PF? The clear need is a 2 or 3 so why Aldridge and not Gay and why Shelden and not Brewer?

SportsNation Chad Ford: It's all for you Anthony. Here's the thinking on the Sixers ... The Sixers have no depth at the four behind Chris Webber. Given that Webber's knees are giving out sooner than later, they jump on a chance to get a guy who can spell him a few minutes a game. If they're in the top three, I like Aldridge, if they stay at 12, Al Horford or Shelden Williams would be that guy. Another two would be nice, but I'm not sure the right player would be there at either slot. I like Ronnie Brewer, but he's too much like Andre Iguodala. Great combo guard who can't shoot.

Oscar, Gainesville, FL: Why do you think players such as Rajon Rondo and Guillermo Diaz are hiring agents right away instead of testing the waters first? Isn't this a dangerous trend?

SportsNation Chad Ford: They want the perks that an agent brings -- mainly, high end training with a top trainer like Tim Grover. If you don't hire an agent, guys who do have an advantage over you. With that said, I think it may be a mistake for both guys. I think another year in college would really help both Rondo's and Diaz's draft stock.

Vic Pederson (Boston, MA): Chad, Will McRoberts be in the draft? Burning question on the minds of many young draft guru's.

SportsNation Chad Ford: It depends on who you talk to. In Portsmouth the buzz was that he's going to declare, but I've also talked to several guys close to Duke who swear he's staying. If he comes out now, he's a lottery pick between 6-12. If he stays at Duke another year and dominates, he would be a lock for the Top 5. Usually I have no problem with a guy declaring if he's a lock for the Top 10 ... but in McRoberts case, I think he'd be better off with another year at Duke. He still has so many areas to improve. Still ... someone will take him high if he declares. The upside is too much to ignore.

Chris Walker, Dallas: Chad, here's a good one for you: In the draft simulator, you have the Bobcats drafting Adam Morrison #1 over Joakim Noah, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Tyrus Thomas. What gives? All along you've maintained that Seattle and Portland were the only two teams that would draft Morrison #1. Plus, does Morrison make sense for the Bobcats?

SportsNation Chad Ford: I go on what I hear. What I hear is that Bernie Bickerstaff loves Morrison because he fits a need and he really competes. Ask Kareem Rush if that's important for Bernie. I think the Bobcats are a little full on the front line anyway. Emeka Okafor, Primoz Brezec, Sean May and Melvin Ely. What they really need is a two guard. If the Bobcats slip a little bit, Brandon Roy might be a solution.

Mike (Chicago): Does Corey Brewer = Ron Artest, but not a Lunatic?

SportsNation Chad Ford: No. He obviously has a radically different body than Ron. Artest is strong as an ox. Brewer looks like Kerry Kittles on Dexitrim. I think Tayshaun Prince is a better comparison.

Kurt (Chicago, IL): We all know the big three Gators all improved their stock, but Taurean Green really impressed me with his solid play. Did he improve in the eyes of scouts? He has the pedigree, the outside shooting, the passing. He is a bit undersized.

SportsNation Chad Ford: I like Taurean Green a lot, but size will be a big issue. Guys under 6 feet usually have a tough time breaking into the league. If he can repeat with Florida another year ... he may get consideration.

Tony (Blacksburg, VA): Is Greg Oden were in the draft this year, would the winning the lottery be just as great when Lebron was in the draft?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Maybe better ... 7 footers with the Tim Duncan like skills come along even less often than great swingmen. But part of me is glad he's going to college. A year at Ohio State will benefit his game.

Brad (Memphis): Chad, tell me that someone is going to have the guts to draft Andrea Bargnani #1. This year seems to resemble the 2001 draft when Gasol sould have gone #1. Agree?

SportsNation Chad Ford: It's a good comparison. We may be reaching a bit on the upside of guys like Tyrus Thomas and LaMarcus Aldridge. Bargnani is putting up solid numbers in the Euroleague, like Gasol was. He's probably more ready for the NBA than scouts are giving him credit for. I just can't figure out which team is going to pull the trigger for him at No. 1. Of all the teams out there, the Bulls might make the most sense, but from what I hear, Tyrus Thomas is their guy if they get the No. 1 pick.

Mike (Philly): Obviously guys at Portsmouth aren't going in the lottery, but anyone to keep an eye on this weekend?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Considering that just ONE player out of the whole Portsmouth field last year was drafted, the camp have become largely irrelevant. There are some nice second round prospects there like Terrell Everett, Yemi Nicholson, Justin Williams, Steve Novak, Carl Krauser and maybe Juan Jose Barea ... but like every year most of the top seniors skipped the event -- 31 to be exact.

Kenny (Chicago): Would Tyrus Thomas be a good complement to Chandler? I'm not sure that he is, Wouldn't Aldridge be a better fit for the Bulls?

SportsNation Chad Ford: My thinking for the last month was that Aldridge was a better fit. He's much more polished offensively. However, I've got a pretty good source in Chicago that says Thomas is the guy.

Brad (Memphis): Hey Chad, what's the update on Arkansas G Ronnie Brewer's draft status? Rumor around the Hill is his parents are really pressuring him to stay and graduate.

SportsNation Chad Ford: Brewer's stock slipped a bit in the second half of the season. His jumper is the primary question mark. He's probably a late lottery pick at the moment. Another year of school could help him if he improves his stroke and his body ... but he won't creep too much higher. Next year's draft class will be MUCH better than this year's.

Buster, Ohio: If Joakim Noah stays in school and has an awesome junior year ... who goes first Noah or Greg Oden?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Hmmm ... I'm tempted to say it would depend on the year Oden had. But the truth is that I'm not sure Noah will ever be the prospect that Oden is. Oden is REALLY good and he's got the right body and athleticism. So ... I'd stick with Oden which is yet another reason why I'm still not convinced that Noah is sitting out the draft. I'm not sure that another year in school would help Noah's transition to the NBA -- he's going to get stronger faster on an NBA weight program and that's the thing he really needs.

Jonathan Florida: Any buzz from the NBA guys at Portsmouth about what underclassmen might be declaring?

SportsNation Chad Ford: Talked to several NBA execs and agents late last night ... the buzz is that Rudy Gay, UConn's Marcus Williams and Patrick O'Bryant all look like they're declaring. Everyone is split on Noah and Horford. They're all hearing that they're staying in school right now ... but that often changes as we get closer to the deadline.

Nick (LA): Chad-I heard Mbah A Moute to the Bulls with the Knick lottery pick. Second coming of Scottie Pippen?

SportsNation Chad Ford: No. Maybe the second coming of Ron Artest without the flying fists and televisions. He really needs another year of school, but if he declared someone would take him in the first round. Lottery may be a little high however.

John(Appleton, Wisco): While all the focus on prospects decisions is based on their standing in that specific draft wouldn't be wise for most(and their agents) to focus more on landing a large free agent contract after 3 or 4 years than the pennies extra they earn from going No. 6 instead of No. 14. Staying in college and actually developing a game besides dunking for most of these "athlete-types" seems to be a better move since falling a bit on draft night since scouts have actually seen you play doesn't hurt nearly as much as riding the pine for your first 2 to 3 years. Why don't more of the agents for the Chris Wilcox's of the world play this card. Are they really afraid they'll turn into the Terrance Morris' and Chris Taft's of the world?

SportsNation Chad Ford: It's a valid point ... except that we are dealing with teenagers ... many of whom have grown up with nothing. Telling a kid to pass up on a multi-million payday now ... so that he might have the opportunity to earn tens of millions down the road usually falls on deaf ears. The fear IS that they turn into Terrance Morris or Chris Taft and end up striking out. It's kind of like that game Deal or No Deal. At a certain point, people take the banker's buyout offer out of fear that they may be left holding the briefcase with a penny in it. For most of these kids (and most of us for that matter) making $10 million dollars is more money than they can even fathom.

SportsNation Chad Ford: I've got to run everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat. We'll do it again next week.