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MS
Posts: 27064
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Joined: 7/28/2004
Member: #724
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CHAD FORD'S MOCK DRAFT
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Portland
Greg Oden Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
(Oden's previous position: No. 1 to Portland)
The skinny: GM Kevin Pritchard continues to maintain that he's still torn between Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, who are visiting Portland this week to work out for the Blazers. But from everything we hear, it's Oden's spot to lose. The Blazers also are shopping furiously to pick up another pick in the draft.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Seattle
Kevin Durant Position: SF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 190
Age: 18
School: Texas
(Durant's previous position: No. 2 to Seattle)
The skinny: New Sonics GM Sam Presti has the easiest decision of the year: Just take whichever guy Portland passes on and enjoy the ride for the next decade.
The big question facing Seattle right now: Can the Sonics get Rashard Lewis to agree to a sign-and-trade this summer for a big man?
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Atlanta
Al Horford Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 235
Age: 20
School: Florida
(Horford's previous position: No. 4 to Memphis)
The skinny: The Hawks drafted a power forward with the No. 5 pick in 2006 -- Shelden Williams. Recent Atlanta draft picks Marvin Williams (2005, No. 2 overall) and Josh Smith (2004, No. 17) also share time at power forward.
And what we're hearing this year? Another power forward with the No. 3 pick.
The Hawks do need rebounding and Horford is the No. 3 player on our Top 100, so why am I scratching my head? Because if it's true that the Hawks are taking Horford, it continues Atlanta's strange pattern of taking players that duplicate each other.
But many scouts believe Horford is the third-best player in the draft, and he would be a big upgrade over Shelden Williams.
One alternative theory on Horford has to be sprung: Perhaps the Hawks are bluffing in an effort to get Memphis and Milwaukee, both of which love Horford, to try to trade up.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Memphis
Mike Conley Position: PG
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170
Age: 19
School: Ohio State
(Conley's previous position: No. 6 to Milwaukee)
The skinny: Horford is at the top of Jerry West's wish list. But I'm hearing that if Horford is gone, West's list narrows down to Joakim Noah and Mike Conley.
The Grizzlies love Noah's energy and bravado, but think Conley could be the second coming of Tony Parker.
It's possible all this will change now that the team has hired Chris Wallace as general manager to replace West after the draft. Wallace was previously in Boston, and the Celtics were high on Yi Jianlian, Jeff Green and Corey Brewer. It will be interesting to see who's calling the shots.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Boston
Corey Brewer Position: SG
Height: 6-8
Weight: 185
Age: 21
School: Florida
(Brewer's previous position: No. 7 to Minnesota)
The skinny: I still think the odds are in favor of Danny Ainge's trading the pick in an attempt to pick up a veteran.
If that doesn't work out, he'll decide between Corey Brewer, Yi Jianlian and Jeff Green. I've had Yi here for a month, but from what I hear, Ainge is nervous that Yi might be more "workout wonder" than legit player.
It seems like Brewer is the surest thing here. And if the Celtics do end up trading Paul Pierce, Brewer can step right in.
Milwaukee
Brandan Wright Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 210
Age: 19
School: North Carolina
(Wright's previous position: No. 3 to Atlanta)
The skinny: The Bucks would like to get their hands on Al Horford or Mike Conley, but it looks like both might be gone at this point. That likely means they'll choose between Brandan Wright and Julian Wright.
Brandan Wright had an amazing workout in Milwaukee, which might seal the deal. He's pretty raw, but he's one of the guys in the draft with the biggest upside.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Minnesota
Jeff Green Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 225
Age: 20
School: Georgetown
(Green's previous position: No. 12 to Philadelphia)
The skinny: The Timberwolves' biggest need is in the frontcourt. There's a lot of speculation that they like Spencer Hawes here, though I've been assured by several sources that no promise has been made to Hawes.
From what I can gather, they'll decide between Jeff Green and Yi Jianlian. Given that Minnesota hasn't been granted access to Yi, we're going with Green here -- a playmaking forward, one of the more NBA-ready players in the draft and a good complement to Kevin Garnett and Randy Foye.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Charlotte
Joakim Noah Position: PF
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Age: 22
School: Florida
(Noah's previous position: No. 8 to Charlotte)
The skinny: The Bobcats will likely go after Rashard Lewis to handle their scoring woes. But they also need to improve their rebounding, which is where Noah comes in.
Bernie Bickerstaff and Michael Jordan will be fans of the energy and intensity he brings to the game. If Noah joins Emeka Okafor, Sean May and Primoz Brezec, the Bobcats will have a number of different frontline options.
Also, Noah projects as one of the most marketable players in the draft, and the Bobcats are still searching for a player who can be the face of the franchise.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Chicago
(via New York)
Yi Jianlian Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 246
Age: 19
Country: China
(Yi's previous position: No. 5 to Boston)
The skinny: The Bulls are looking for size and will decide between Yi and Hawes (and Noah if available). In the past, GM John Paxson hasn't been much of a gambler, usually going with players from proven schools instead.
But Yi is intriguing enough here that Paxson probably has to pull the trigger. Yi prefers to face the basket rather than post up, but his size and athleticism would still be a great fit in Chicago.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Sacramento
Spencer Hawes Position: C
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 19
School: Washington
(Hawes' previous position: No. 9 to Chicago)
The skinny: The Kings would love to get their hands on Noah, Yi or Green. But if all of them are off the board, they'll go with Hawes, perhaps the most skilled big man in the draft.
What Hawes lacks in athleticism he makes up for in toughness and an ability to score with either hand around the basket.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Atlanta
(via Indiana)
Javaris Crittenton Position: PG
Height: 6-5
Weight: 180
Age: 19
School: Georgia Tech
(Crittenton's previous position: No. 11 to Atlanta)
The skinny: We keep hearing the Hawks will address the point guard situation with this pick one way or the other. If they keep the pick, Crittenton seems like the guy.
But I hear they'd prefer to get someone more experienced, which could set up a trade with the Blazers for former Georgia Tech star Jarrett Jack.
If the Blazers end up with this pick, they'll probably be deciding between Julian Wright and Al Thornton.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Philadelphia
Al Thornton Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 210
Age: 23
School: Florida State
(Thornton's previous position: No. 13 to New Orleans)
The skinny: The Sixers really need a power forward, but at this point, all of the worthy ones are gone. Thornton is a scoring machine and a much better prospect than Rodney Carney, the small forward the Sixers drafted last year.
The Sixers have been trying to move up in the draft by packaging this pick with their other two first-rounders … so watch them carefully. They'd prefer to get their hands on a guy like Brandan Wright or Al Horford.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Orleans
Nick Young Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Age: 21
School: USC
(Young's previous position: No. 19 to L.A. Lakers)
The skinny: With Desmond Mason hitting free agency, the Hornets will look for a shooting guard to play alongside a (hopefully) healthy Peja Stojakovic.
Young is the ideal fit. He's an excellent shooter and a big-time athlete. If he develops, he and Chris Paul could become one of the most exciting backcourts in the NBA.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
L.A. Clippers
Julian Wright Position: SF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 220
Age: 20
School: Kansas
(Wright's previous position: No. 10 to Sacramento)
The skinny: The Clippers like Acie Law, but from what we gather the team is talking with the Suns about trading the No. 14 pick and Corey Maggette to Phoenix for Boris Diaw, this year's No. 24 and No. 29 picks and the Suns' first-round pick in 2008.
The Clips might want to rethink that if Wright slips this far. He's the type of heady small forward that coach Mike Dunleavy has craved for years.
If the Suns do get the pick, I think they'll go for Wright or Thaddeus Young -- two guys with some of the best upside in the draft.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Detroit
(via Orlando)
Rodney Stuckey Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
Age: 21
School: Eastern Wash.
(Stuckey's previous position: No. 15 to Detroit)
The skinny: I've had Stuckey here since day one, and after a lot of initial derision, I think the rest of the world is beginning to agree.
He seems like the type of player Detroit likes, and he is an excellent fit. Stuckey is a Randy Foye-type combo guard who can play some point, but he really excels at putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket. He's a big upgrade over Flip Murray.
Nick Young and Thaddeus Young are also possibilities here, if they're on the board.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Washington
Jason Smith Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 230
Age: 21
School: Colorado State
(Smith's previous position: No. 18 to Golden State)
The skinny: Smith is an athletic, face-the-basket type power forward who could be an eventual replacement for Antawn Jamison, who happens to be in the last year of his contract.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New Jersey
Sean Williams Position: C
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: Boston College
(Williams' previous position: No. 17 to New Jersey)
The skinny: The Nets desperately need some interior defense, and Williams is the best shot-blocker in the draft. Off-court problems got him kicked off the team at Boston College, but at this point in the draft, the reward starts to exceed the risk.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Golden State
Thaddeus Young Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 210
Age: 18
School: Georgia Tech
(Young's previous position: No. 16 to Washington)
The skinny: The Warriors worked out Yi Jianlian and will try to move up in the draft to get him. They can try to target the Grizzlies at No. 4, the Celtics at No. 5 or the Bulls at No. 9 as potential trade partners.
If they can't get him, Young should fall to them here.
Young doesn't really fit a need, but he's clearly the best talent left on the board and frees them up to trade one of their players down the road.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
L.A. Lakers
Acie Law Position: PG
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Age: 22
School: Texas A&M
(Law's previous position: No. 14 to L.A. Clippers)
The skinny: This pick is really up in the air until we know what's happening with Kobe Bryant. Assuming the Lakers keep the pick, Law seems like a good fit.
He is a fearless combo guard who steps up in big games. He's one of the few guys left on the board who could help the Lakers right away.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Miami
Gabe Pruitt Position: PG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 170
Age: 21
School: USC
(Pruitt's previous position: No. 20 to Miami)
The skinny: The Heat are hurting at the point. Jason Williams is entering a contract year, and the Heat prefer to play Dwyane Wade at the 2.
Pruitt is a combo guard who has great size for the point, excellent athleticism and a beautiful stroke on his jumper.
However, the Heat are likely to trade the pick.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Philadelphia
(via Denver)
Tiago Splitter Position: PF
Height: 7-0
Weight: 240
Age: 22
Country: Brazil
(Splitter's previous position: No. 24 to Phoenix)
The skinny: The Sixers have three first-round picks, so don't be surprised if they take an international player whom they can keep overseas for a year.
At one time Splitter was considered a lottery-type talent. He's big, he plays defense and he's been facing great competition in Europe. He's a good value pick at this juncture.
Josh McRoberts is also a possibility here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Charlotte
(via Toronto)
Morris Almond Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 215
Age: 22
School: Rice
(Almond's previous position: No. 22 to Charlotte)
The skinny: The Bobcats would fill their need at 2-guard with one of the more underrated players in the draft. Almond has great size for the position and might be the best long-range shooter in the draft.
The Bobcats thought they got outside shooting when they drafted Adam Morrison last year, but Almond is a much better shooter.
This pick is another that might be for sale.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
New York
(via Chicago)
Wilson Chandler Position: SF
Height: 6-8
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: DePaul
(Chandler's previous position: Not in first round)
The skinny: The Knicks are rumored to have made a promise to the DePaul forward. That may explain why Chandler has been dropping workout after workout. If it's not the Knicks, it sure sounds like someone in the first round has gotten ahold of him.
Chandler is an interesting player -- he's one of the best athletes in the draft and can play a little 3 and 4. However, he doesn't quite have the motor that Isiah Thomas usually prizes in a prospect, and he doesn't fit the need at shooting guard they've been searching for.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Phoenix
(via Cleveland)
Rudy Fernandez Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 172
Age: 22
Country: Spain
(Fernandez's previous position: No. 29 to Phoenix)
The skinny: The Suns have been trying to package this pick along with No. 29 to move up a few spots in the draft or to facilitate a trade to get rid of Marcus Banks and/or Boris Diaw. If they do keep it, I suspect they'll go international so they can keep the player in Europe and off the payroll.
Fernandez had a breakout season in Spain this year. He's an excellent athlete with a good shooting stroke, and he has the ability to play some point. His lack of strength and durability are the only things keeping his stock this low at the moment.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Utah
Derrick Byars Position: SF
Height: 6-7
Weight: 220
Age: 23
School: Vanderbilt
(Byars' previous position: No. 25 to Utah)
The skinny: The Jazz want to add a shooter who can play the 2 and 3 and play some defense. Byars is a bit of a sleeper. He really didn't come on strong at Vanderbilt until his senior season.
Italy's Marco Belinelli and Rice's Morris Almond are also possibilities here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Houston
Glen Davis Position: PF
Height: 6-9
Weight: 290
Age: 21
School: LSU
(Davis' previous position: No. 26 to Houston)
The skinny: Davis has amazing skills for a big guy -- the problem is that he's just so big. If he can keep his weight down, he could end up being a steal this late.
I hear the Rockets are also very high on Nevada 's Nick Fazekas. Fazekas is a lights-out shooter and a good rebounder but lacks athleticism. Must be a sabermetrics thing for new GM Daryl Morey.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Detroit
Marco Belinelli Position: SG
Height: 6-6
Weight: 200
Age: 21
Country: Italy
(Bellinelli's previous position: No. 28 to San Antonio)
The skinny: The Pistons were eyeing DeVon Hardin at No. 27. Now that he's withdrawn from the draft, they may decide to grab a swingman to replace Carlos Delfino.
Belinelli is a sharpshooter who, after several successful years in the Euroleague, is ready to step in and contribute now.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
San Antonio
Petteri Koponen Position: SG
Height: 6-4
Weight: 194
Age: 19
Country: Finland
(Koponen's previous position: Not in first round)
The skinny: The Spurs want a big point guard who can spell Tony Parker; they aren't in love with backup point guard Beno Udrih and will explore trading him this summer.
Koponen is a better playmaker and shooter than Udrih, though he's very young and inexperienced. Virginia Tech point guard Zabian Dowdell is also getting a serious look here.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Phoenix
Kyrylo Fesenko Position: PF
Height: 7-1
Weight: 270
Age: 20
Country: Ukraine
(Fesenko's previous position: Not in first round)
The skinny: The Suns will likely try to move this pick, but if they keep it, they'll likely go international again.
Fesenko is a tall, athletic big man cut from the same mold as the Warriors' Andris Biedrins. He's a bit of an unknown, but he's impressed in workouts.
PICK TEAM PLAYER VITALS
Philadelphia
(via Dallas)
Josh McRoberts Position: PF
Height: 6-10
Weight: 230
Age: 20
School: Duke
(McRoberts' previous position: No. 21 to Philadelphia)
The skinny: The likelihood of the Sixers keeping all three of their picks is slim … but if they do, they'll take McRoberts here.
McRoberts is drawing interest as high as No. 17 to New Jersey. However, the results of his workouts have been really mixed. At this point he seems like a steal here.
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6/19/2007 3:26 PM
