Official 2007 NBA Draft Thread

[Silas]

^Word Shannon.

People aren't as high on J-Rich after his surgery because they fear that his game relies to heavily on explosiveness. He obviously won't be as effective with his knee, but he's really refined his perimeter game to the point where he can be a really solid second banana to a team.

Exactly, and he's become a very good defender as well. He played as good help defense on Dirk as I've ever seen. With a guy like Baron at his side, those two make a terrific open court duo.

[Sauru]

so if the trade goes down between the wolves, suns, and hawks, and the wolves get the 3rd,7th,and 11th picks, what do yuo think the wolves should do? I assume they would only make that trade to go ahead and draft all 3 so that being the case who do you think they could get at those spots? kinda interested to hear what riot and indy have to say about it.

[maes]

Draftexpress has an article on another voodoo system for evaluating college draft talent (not Hollinger's).

http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2146

For 2007, Win Score offers several opinions. Like everybody else, it shares excitement for Oden and Durant. More interestingly, Win Score offers opinions on who will outperform or under-perform their draft projection. Here is an over-view of these projections.

Pick Booms: Nick Fazekas, Stephane Lasme, Rashad Jones-Jennings

Views favorably: Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Julian Wright, Morris Almond, Aaron Gray

Views unfavorably: Jeff Green, Taurean Green, Gabe Pruitt, Nick Young, Thaddeus Young, Wilson Chandler, Javaris Crittenton

Pick Busts: Corey Brewer, Acie Law, Spencer Hawes

International:
Favorites: Yi Jianlian, Marco Belinelli, Luka Bogdanovic, Jonas Maciulis, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Mirza Begic

Buyer Beware: Tiago Splitter, Petteri Koponen, Marc Gasol, Sidiki Sidibe, and Dimitri Sokolov

Just about everybody is down on Hawes.

[Sauru]

yeah i think hawes is everyone pick for biggest bust, though it could also turn out to be a player like Yi. i have been saying forever and a day now that noah will be a bust but i do not think he will be a bust on the level of hawes. then again maybe all this bust talk will get hawes to work on his game, alot, and turn into a servicable pro.

[-Young Buck-]

Personally i wouldnt draft a tall white guy, unless he is not from the USA, but thats me.

[[Q]]

I think Hawes will turn into a Brad Miller type of player. A very skilled player and pretty good, but always underrated.

[Sauru]

the thing is, the scoring center is becoming a thing of the past, seems its more of the scoring power forward now which is a complete opposite from years past. drafting a center who will defend the goal and get you boards without being in foul trouble all the time is good enough now. why take a risk on a center who wont get you the boards you need? who wont be able to defend the goal. if i am the bulls i take best available and start to consider trade options to either bring a proven center to the team or for future picks.

[maes]

This is some funny stuff:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... aft/070627

Chad: I knew this was coming. You lose your mind with the Celtics.

Here we go:

1. Rick Carlisle is NOT an upgrade over Doc Rivers.

2. No way Minnesota takes Gerald Green and Theo Ratliff for KG. No way. You've lost it, haven't you?

3. Even if they did get Marion, is he really going to make things better? Without Steve Nash throwing him lobs, I don't think he'll be great. The Celtics become a seventh or eighth seed in the East under your plan. Congrats.

4. Al Thornton is two years older than LeBron James, and he just started dominating in college this year. Aren't we going a little overboard? At No. 21, you're stuck drafting Josh McRoberts. No way those two guys are better than what you can get at No. 5 plus Delonte West.

5. Moving down a few spots doesn't save the franchise or make your team better.

6. Corey Brewer is OK. Great defender. Not sure what type of offensive player he'll be. But Yi is the best player available. I don't know if Danny has the courage to make this pick . . . but he should.

7. Talked to [Jazz exec] Kevin O'Connor on the Kirilenko thing. They say one man's trash is another man's treasure. In this case, your trash is ... trash.

Bill: Really? A guy with a career .571 winning percentage and two trips to the Conference Finals isn't an upgrade over a guy with a career .467 winning percentage who never won a playoff series? I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Also, I never said they'd get KG for Green and Telfair -- in that alleged three-team deal that Jim Gray reported, they'd end up with Marion and give up the No. 5, Telfair, Green, Ratliff and probably a 2008 No. 1. I'd do this deal in a millisecond.

As for Yi, I fully expected you to tell us that he's the best player available at No. 5 -- you're the same guy that once touted the virtues of Darko Milicic and Pavel Podkolzine. You'll have to excuse me if I'm dubious of a Chinese star who A.) refused to workout against anyone, and B.) dominated the 19-and-under championships when he was lying about his age and happened to be 22 at the time. But hey, I've never seen anyone look better offensively while posting up a chair. So you might be onto something.

[Martti.]

Is there any way to watch the Draft Live from the web?

[buzzy]

I hope SopCast will broadcast it

[Indy]

I think Hawes will turn into a Brad Miller type of player. A very skilled player and pretty good, but always underrated.

He is a similar player to Brad Miller. Brad was very good in Indiana when he was able to play next to a post presence in Jermaine O'Neal. He was the high post guy that could dump it in the JO and make the midrange jumpers when JO would pass out of double teams. He rebounded, did dirty work, and had a lot of offense run through him because he was such an excellent passer. When we traded Brad to Sacramento, he declined quickly. He was next to Chris Webber at first, and played pretty well, 2 big men that are both such good passers are going to be good together. But after Chris went to Philly we've seen Brad really fall off the face of the earth.

Spencer Hawes is so similar it is scary. Does that sound like the type of player the Bulls need? Not at all. If they still had Elton Brand this would be the perfect guy to put next to him, but Spencer isn't the low post scorer that they are looking for. I guarantee the Bulls pass on Hawes, unless Pax has lost it.

[Sauru]

its about time draft night got here. cant wait to see how some teams completly blow it, like the celts did last year.

[Indy]

Don't worry, maybe you can trade Sebastian Telfair to Minny for the 7th pick.

[Martti.]

I hope SopCast will broadcast it

I hope so too. What which channel?

[[Q]]

it's on ESPN tonight. sopcast should have it.

[maes]

Spencer Hawes is so similar it is scary. Does that sound like the type of player the Bulls need? Not at all.

Let's see, Hawes is
- good at scoring
- will probably be one of the worst rebounding Centers in the league, judging from 6 boards a game in the Pac-10 in a full 30 minutes per game
- not very athletic

Sounds like we'll get Eddy Curry back!!

[Indy]

Actually Eddy Curry would be a much better fit for the Bulls then Hawes. The Bulls need a guy who you can dump the ball to in the post. Eddy is one of the most efficient scorers around the rim. Hawes is soft and will play a game more like Zydrunas (think softer).

[---]

Mock draft time!

First Round

1. Portland - Greg Oden | C | Ohio State

2. Seattle - Kevin Durant | SF | Texas

3. Atlanta - Al Horford | PF | Florida

4. Memphis - Mike Conley Jr | PG | Ohio State

5. Boston - Yi Jianlian | PF | China

6. Milwaukee - Brandan Wright | PF | North Carolina

7. Minnesota - Joakim Noah | PF | Chicago

8. Charlotte - Corey Brewer | SG | Florida

9. Chicago - Spencer Hawes | C | Washington

10. Sacramento - Jeff Green | SF | Georgetown

11. Atlanta - Acie Law | PG | Texas A&M

12. Philadelphia - Julian Wright | SF | Kansas

13. New Orleans - Nick Young | SG | USC

14. LA Clippers - Javaris Crittenton | PG | Georgia Tech

15. Detroit - Al Thornton | SF | Florida State

16. Washington - Thaddeus Young | SF | Georgia Tech

17. New Jersey - Jason Smith | PF | Colorado State

18. Golden State - Sean Williams | C | Boston College

19. LA Lakers - Rodney Stuckey | SG | Eastern Washington

20. Miami - Rudy Fernandez | SG | Spain

21. Philadelphia - Josh McRoberts | PF | Duke

22. Charlotte - Tiago Splitter | PF | Brazil

23. New York - Wilson Chandler | SF | DePaul

24. Phoenix - Daequan Cook | SG | Ohio State

25. Utah - Morris Almond | SG | Rice

26. Houston - Gabe Pruitt | PG | USC

27. Detroit - Derrick Byars | SG | Vanderbilt

28. San Antonio - Marco Belinelli | SG | Italy

29. Phoenix - Petteri Kopenen | PG | Finland

30. Philadelphia - Marcus Williams | SG | Arizona

Second Round

31. Seattle - Alando Tucker | SF | Wisconsin

32. Boston - Jared Dudley | SF | Boston College

33. San Antonio - Taurean Green | PG | Florida

34. Dallas - Glen Davis | PF | Louisiana State

35. Seattle - Ramon Sessions | PG | Nevada

36. Golden State - Nick Fazekas | PF | Nevada

37. Portland - Demetris Nichols | SF | Syracuse

38. Philadelphia - Aaron Brooks | PG | Oregon

39. Miami - Aaron Gray | C | Pittsburgh

40. LA Lakers - Herbert Hill | PF | Providence

41. Minnesota - Reyshawn Terry | SF | North Carolina

42. Portland - Arron Afflalo | SG | UCLA

43. New Orleans - Quinton Hosley | SF | Fresno State

44. Orlando - Stanko Barac | C | Bosnia

45. LA Clippers - Marc Gasol | C | Spain

46. Golden State - Carl Landry | PF | Perdue

47. Washington - Ali Traore | PF | France

48. LA Lakers - DJ Strawberry | SG | Maryland

49. Chicago - JamesOn Curry | SG | Oklahoma State

50. Dallas - Renaldis Seibutis | SG | Lithuania

51. Chicago - Chris Richard | PF | Florida

52. Portland - Kryrylo Fesenko | C | Ukraine

53. Portland - Zabian Dowdell | PG | Virginia Tech

54. Houston* - Sun Yue | PG | China

55. Utah - Kyle Visser | C | Wake Forest

56. Milwaukee - Zoran Erceg | PF | Serbia

57. Detroit - Stephane Lasme | PF | UMass

58. San Antonio - Jermareo Davidson | PF | Alabama

59. Phoenix - Ron Lewis | SG | Ohio State

60. Dallas - Brad Newley | SF | Australia

* Had Yue going to Orlando, then I found out they traded their pick. I know Houston probably wont take another point guard, but I can't be bothered updating it.

About Hawes, how does he not fit? bulls need post scoring which is Hawes biggest skill, easily the most polished big in the draft while only being 19. He may not be strong, but that can be gained pretty easily. Rebounding isn't a big problem with Luol, Tyrus and Ben being great on the boards. A good passer out of the post is something this team doesn't have and would be a good addition, especially will all the jumpshooters on this team. Finally, he isn't much of a defender, but Tyrus and Ben make up for that.

I think the only player thats a better fit (minus Oden/Durant) is Al Horford.

[Indy]

About Hawes, how does he not fit? bulls need post scoring which is Hawes biggest skill, easily the most polished big in the draft while only being 19. He may not be strong, but that can be gained pretty easily. Rebounding isn't a big problem with Luol, Tyrus and Ben being great on the boards. A good passer out of the post is something this team doesn't have and would be a good addition, especially will all the jumpshooters on this team. Finally, he isn't much of a defender, but Tyrus and Ben make up for that.

Hawes number 1 skill is his ballhandling. Second is his passing. Third is his midrange jump shot. You see what I'm getting at here? He's a big body that can't rebound or bang down low. He has decent footwork, but is clumsy on the lowblock against bigger players. You either need outstanding quickness, power or an array of moves to be successful on the low block. Hawes is nowhere near having any of those 3 things.

I think the only player thats a better fit (minus Oden/Durant) is Al Horford.

Horford is obviously a great fit for the Bulls. Personally I think they should trade the pick to Portland for Zach Randolph. Joakim Noah would be a better fit then Hawes as well at least on the defensive end.

I think the Bulls go with Jeff Green or Al Thornton depending on who is there.

If Stephane Lasme actually falls all the way to 57, he will be the best 57th pick in NBA history.

[Martti.]

What channel is it?

When watching games, it's usually Channel *****.

What number is it?

[Sauru]

cool the preshow is starting now, will be back later to complain about the celtics pick i am sure.


great they are saying the celts will trade the pick and west for allen. i dont get why danny ainge is trying so hard to ruin the celtics. can anyone explain to me what ainge has against boston as to why he wants them to suck forever?

[Buckley]

1. Greg Oden
2. Kevin Durant
3. Al Horford
4. Mike Conley
5. Yi Jianlian
6. Jeff Green
7. Corey Brewer
8. Joakim Noah
9. Brandan Wright
10. Julian Wright
11. Acie Law
12. Spencer Hawes
13. Nick Young
14. Al Thornton
15. Rodney Stuckey
16. Thaddeus Young
17. Derrick Byars
18. Rudy Fernandez
19. Jason Smith
20. Javaris Crittenton
21. Daequan Cook
22. Marcus Williams
23. Wilson Chandler
24. Marco Bellinelli
25. Alando Tucker
26. Marcus Williams
27. Arron Afflalo
28. Morris Almond
29. Jared Dudley
30. Josh McRoberts

thats my mock draft

[ixcuincle]

As if there was any doubt...Greg oden #1

With this draft , the Blazers could be as good as 5th seed in the West next year. I'd be surprised if they went higher than that.

[Abctest123]

Ray Allen traded to Boston!!

[Sauru]

great the celtics just fucked up the future again. lets get a guy over 30 who does the same thing as the guy we already got. danny ainge needs to be shot in the face