Insider Special: Top 10 PF's

What do Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, Karl Malone, Jermaine O'Neal, Kenyon Martin, and Pau Gasol have in common?

It just so happens that this year, the top-nine teams in the league (according to record) also have, arguably, the top-nine power forwards in the league. What a coincidence. The big guys matter, folks.

That's why teams go nuts over power players in the draft. In 2002, six power forwards were drafted in the lottery. In 2001, the first three picks were power forwards, and nine overall were taken in the first round. Last year was a major aberration. Only four players in the lottery were power forwards, and only six power forwards, overall, were drafted in the first round.

That, however, was because of a lack of talent, not a lack of need. The good news is that this is a decent draft at the power forward position. As many as eight power players have a shot at getting drafted in the first round. However, only three are locks for the lottery. Given the obsession with size in the league, read into that what you will.

They range from dominating college players like Emeka Okafor and Kris Humprhies, to big-time prep stars like Dwight Howard and Al Jefferson, to Euro projects like Andris Biedrins and Anderson Varejao.

TOP 10 POWER FORWARDS
Rank Name Ht, Wt - Age School/Team/Country
1. Emeka Okafor 6-10, 257 - 21 UConn
What he lacks in size and offensive polish he makes up for in heart, experience and athletic ability. Should go No. 1. Draft range: 1-2.
2. Dwight Howard 6-10, 240 - 18 High School
He's the opposite of Okafor. He's very skilled offensively, but teams worry about the lack of experience and the missing fire in his belly.
Draft range: 1-4.
3. Andris Biedrins 7-0, 240 - 18 Latvia
A great athlete for a Euro, strong defender and shot blocker. But his lack of offensive polish has hurt him in workouts. May be slipping a bit.
Draft range: 5-14.
4. Kris Humphries 6-9, 235 - 19 Minnesota
Has strength, athleticism and had a great freshman year at Minnesota. But teams are still trying to figure out his position. Lack of workouts hurting his buzz. Draft range: 14-27.
5. Al Jefferson 6-10, 265 - 18 Prentiss (MS)
Has been steadily rising with good workouts. He's a banger and a consistent scorer. Teams wish he was a better athlete. Draft range: 15-27.
6. Anderson Varejao 6-10, 230 - 22 Brazil
Old CW: Great motor but no offensive skills. New CW: In workouts he's shown a lot of versatility. He's a hot name right now. Draft range: 16-28.
7. Albert Miralles 6-11, 240 - 22 Spain
Helped himself enormously at the Euro Big Man camp. With so many pullouts, could he slip into the late first round? Draft range: 28-40.
8. Andre Brown, DePaul 6-9¾ 236, 22 DePaul
Big-time athlete who has helped himself at both pre-draft camps with aggressive play. Draft range: 32-59.
9. Jackie Butler 6-9¾, 263 - 19 Brazil
Prep school star was the leading rebounder at the Chicago pre-draft camp, helping his stock. Draft range: 40-59.
10. James Lloreda 6-8¾, 247 - 22 LSU
Tough physical player held his own in Chicago. Will it be enough to get him drafted?Draft range: 40-59.

Others to watch: Sergei Lishouk, Rovno (Ukraine); Arthur Johnson, Missouri; Pape Sow, Cal State Fullerton; Randy Orr, Georgia Perimeter (JUCO); Jackie Butler, Virginia Beach; Mo Ke, China; Deng Gai, Fairfield; Amit Tamir, Cal; Jan Jagla, Penn State; Brandon Bender, Robert Morris; James Thomas, Texas; Brian Boddicker, Texas; Jamar Smith, Maryland; Justin Davis, Stanford; Slobodan Ocokoljic, Weber State; T.J. Cummings, UCLA

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider. Send him an e-mail here.