The NBA Finals are nearing their end. With Miami's impressive three game sweep to put them one win away from their first
title, the offseason is nearing. The first step to any successful offseason is a good draft.
Monday, June 19, 2006 was the deadline for all early entrants into the NBA Draft to pull their names from the list. With
the pre-draft camp complete and individual team workouts underway, the teams of the NBA are finalizing their list of players,
looking into deals they can make for dream players. The NBA Draft is on June 28, and now is as good a time as any to look at
the latest draft board.
1. Toronto Raptors - Andrea Bargnani (Italy): the Raptors have been going
nuts over the potential of this foreign player. He has the offensive skill set and potential to match Dirk Nowitzki - Bargnani
stands at 6-11 and plays on the perimeter like the German stud. With the announcement that Chris Bosh will resign with Toronto
for six more years, the Raptors may be trying to build a fast break offense in the Phoenix mold. The two teams share the same
general manager - Bryan Colangelo.
2. Chicago Bulls (from New York) - Brandon Roy (Washington): the Bulls for a
long time were looking at LSU standout Tyrus Thomas, but have slowly begun leaning towards Roy. Roy is more game-ready, which
would be more of an advantage to the Playoff-hungry Bulls. Roy is a good option as a shooting guard. He does a lot of things
well, but nothing very well. Roy is probably the most finished product in this year's draft. With some serviceable big men
later on in the draft, the Bulls are looking to get at least one sure thing with this draft.
3. Charlotte Bobcats - Adam Morrison (Gonzaga): the Bobcats are looking
for a good perimeter player to complement Emeka Okafor. Raymond Felton came on strong late in the season and has established
himself as the point guard for Charlotte - the Bobcats have even begun shopping Brevin Knight around. The Bobcats, by adding
Morrison will get a real three point and scoring threat. The Bobcats have been held hostage by Okafor's injuries, Morrison
should take some of the pressure off of Okafor and give the Bobcats a real dual scoring threat.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas): many believe that
Aldridge should be the number one pick in this year's draft. However, don't be surprised if he falls into Portland's lap.
Aldridge has shown he is a great shot blocker and defender with a developing post game. The question here is whether the team
values potential over a known commodity. Aldridge is certainly further along than Tyrus Thomas. The Blazers have enough players
that have "unlimited potential." While Aldridge isn't quite a finished project, he is further along than Thomas and should get
picked first if the Bulls don't take Thomas.
5. Atlanta Hawks - Tyrus Thomas (LSU): the Hawks need some help in the post.
Zaza Pachulia has been a pleasant surprise, but the Hawks have no
real low post option. The prospect of Al Harrington leaving this summer means Atlanta needs to fill in the hole at power
forward very quickly. Joe Johnson leads the talented young group of Hawks, but they will need more. Thomas has potential. He
was fantastic in the NCAA Tournament and showed flashes of what he could become. Thomas is still developing his all around
game and is the biggest project of this draft. However, he brings the greatest reward.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Rudy Gay (Connecticut): the Timberwolves have
said that Kevin Garnett may be on the trading block. Minnesota is
making their last runs at winning with Garnett in the lineup. What the Timberwolves have been missing since the Latrell
Sprewell, Sam Cassell, and Wally Szczerbiak days is a second scorer. Ricky Davis is inconsistent at best. Gay is a versatile
player that has lots of potential. He was projected to be the number one pick for much of the NBA season and has the potential
to be a great player. Gay lacks maturity because he was only in school for two seasons. But he has the raw skill to be a factor
with any team in a couple seasons.
7. Boston Celtics - Marcus Williams (Connecticut): the Celtics, despite the
emergence of Delonte West, are in the market for point guard depth. This draft isn't short of decent point guards. Marcus
Williams should be the first one off the board. He is a good all around player and was the leader for the Huskies as they made
their run to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament. He should help the Celtics improve the rotation with their perimeter players
and spark the fast break.
8. Houston Rockets - Randy Foye (Villanova): this is the first really
intriguing pick of the draft. It appears that the Orlando Magic have a deal in place with Houston
to swap picks. The Magic have had their eye on many players that are well above the eleventh pick - including J.J. Redick, who
should be available well beyond 11. Foye works well for both teams. Foye is a tough point guard who can balance his scoring
with his teammates scoring. The Rockets are in sore need of a playmaking point guard as their options are limited to Bob Sura -
who was injured this season - and Rafer Alston. The Rockets could definitely use his playmaking ability to get
Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming going early next season. For the Magic,
Foye adds depth to an already talented point guard group. He is an NBA-ready player that could help any team make it to the
next level.
9. Golden State Warriors - Rodney Carney (Memphis): the Warriors will be
looking for someone to complement and add to their base with Jason Richardson and Baron Davis. The Warriors are looking to make
a big move this summer and have put forwards Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy Jr. on the trading block. Golden State really needs
help with their defense, and Carney should not only add to the offensive flow that Golden State has, but also should help them
out on defense and help them push their way into the playoffs.
10. Seattle Sonics - Shelden Williams (Duke): the Sonics are looking to
boost their front line. Even during their playoff run in 2005, the Sonics lacked a good frontcourt. Williams was a fantastic
rebounder and defensive power forward at Duke. He works hard and could be a good boost of energy for a young Sonics team.
The Sonics have been slowly tearing apart their frontcourt - trading Reggie Evans - and should go with either Williams or
Bradley star Patrick O'Bryant with this pick. Williams is not a great offensive player, but the Sonics have a lot of offensive
weapons that could mask his offensive troubles.
11. Orlando Magic - J.J. Redick (Duke): the Magic are in desperate need of a three point
shooter - as are the Rockets in case of the trade. Redick is just a straight-up shooter and scorer. He can hit from anywhere on
the floor either as a spot-up shooter or off the screens. The problem is, that is all he can do. The Magic really like him as
a player, and both them and Houston could use him as their three point marksman to complement their stars. Redick probably
should not be drafted here ahead of Ronnie Brewer, but the Magic need some help beyond the arc and want to address that need
in this year's draft.
12. New Orleans Hornets - Patrick O'Bryant (Bradley): the Hornets want to
continue riding the wave they created with their surprising run in 2006. The Hornets want to establish their future with David
West and Chris Paul plus their two draft picks this year. The Hornets are looking to add a true low post presence to complement
West. O'Bryant is a developing seven footer who has already developed some tenacity on the defensive end. His offensive game
is still developing as he gets used to his body. However, some scouts think that O'Bryant has more upside than LaMarcus
Aldridge or Tyrus Thomas.
13. Philadelphia 76ers - Ronnie Brewer (Arkansas): the Sixers are another
team that appears to have a marquee player on the trading block.
Allen Iverson's name has been tossed about in trade rumors, but it
appears he will be staying put. However, Maurice Cheeks's experiment with Iverson at the point seems to have failed miserably.
The Sixers would be lucky if Ronnie Brewer fell to them at thirteen. He is a great defender and despite a weird looking shot,
turned out to be a fantastic scorer at Arkansas. Brewer can play all the guard positions and would be good in the backcourt
with Iverson and Andre Iguodala.
14. Utah Jazz - Cedric Simmons (NC State): the Jazz have a lot of solid
power forwards in Andrei Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur, and Carlos Boozer, but lack a true center to anchor their lineup. Look for
them to use this pick on a center to replace Boozer who appears to be on his way out sometime this summer. Simmons has shown
tremendous shot blocking and defensive abilities. What is missing is the Jazz's need: some offense. However, Simmons is a
player that can play the center position and has an NBA-ready body. The question is whether the Jazz can stay healthy enough
to hide his offensive deficiencies as a rookie.
15. New Orleans Hornets (from Milwaukee) Oleksiy Pecherov (Ukraine): Pecherov
is one of those interesting international big men. Like Bargnani, he is 6-10 and can shoot the ball better than he can post
it up. Pecherov, though, is a question mark defensively as a small forward or power forward. Pecherov, though, should give the
Hornets a much needed three point threat off the bench. He is also a good rebounder and could help out the Hornets down low.
Pecherov is one of those dual threat players that New Orleans will need to make the playoffs.
16. Chicago Bulls - if the Bulls use their first pick on an NBA-ready player
at guard to run with Kirk Hinrich, they will use the second pick as they try to establish some presence in the low post. The
Bulls were hurt throughout the season and in the playoffs by the absence of Eddy Curry and a low post presence. Tyson C
handler and Michael Sweetney were too inconsistent to be depended upon come playoff time. The centers at the top of the draft
may just add more fuel to an undependable fire - as well as ire to expecting fans. Thus, it may be safer to go after a big man
with their second pick. Hilton Armstrong is a good center to take. He is a strong shot blocker and rebounder and good defender.
But, like other centers in this draft, has very little offensive skill at the moment. The Bulls pride themselves as a defensive
team and Armstrong could fit in nicely with the team they have built in Chicago.
17. Indiana Pacers - Shannon Brown (Michigan State): it appears the Raptors
are not going to make a deal to acquire Jermaine O'Neal from the Pacers for the number one pick; and it appears that the
Pacers never offered such a deal. Either way, the Pacers were hurt by injuries this season, especially to their point guards.
Easy way to solve this. Shannon Brown is a combo guard. He was an explosive scorer in college, but as the shooting guard. He
won't be spending much of his time in the NBA at shooting guard, but he can definitely use that skill to find a place in the
NBA. His passing isn't good enough to be a starting point guard, but it is serviceable for a player playing off the ball in
college. This will have to improve as he prepares to enter the NBA. Either way, Brown would be a good last resort if injuries
continue to plague the Pacers guards and a good option as a shooting guard if everyone remains healthy.
18. Washington Wizards - Saer Sene (Senegal): the Wizards have been
publicly upset with their center Brendan Haywood. Whether with Haywood on board or not, the Wizards need some help down low if
they are to advance further in the playoffs. Sene is the perfect center for this developing team. Sene is extremely agile and
has great rebounding ability. Everything he does comes naturally to him. Probably because, he's only played basketball for
three seasons and is extremely raw. The Wizards don't need much more scoring with one of the top scorers in the NBA in Gilbert
Arenas and Antawn Jamison. Sene would be a good project for Washington to develop as they continue to push deeper into the
playoffs.
19. Sacramento Kings - Shawne Williams (Memphis): the Kings were a fast
break offensive team during the coaching tenure of Rick Adelman. Under the guidance of Eric Musselman, expect the Kings to
focus their attention on improving defensively. The acquisition of Ron Artest indicates that the Kings are thinking that's
where they have to go. Williams is a versatile player that can play almost anywhere on the court. He has a very good offensive
game and is a good help side defender. He is a Kings player in their old mold. The Kings haven't been very deep in the past
and Williams should help add some depth at forward as well as allow Artest and Mike Bibby play off the ball more to increase
scoring opportunities.
20. New York Knicks (from Toronto via New Jersey via Denver) Maurice Ager
(Michigan State): Ager is just one of those players that Isaiah Thomas seems to love. In the true style of Stephon Marbury and
Steve Francis, Ager is an undersized shooting guard with limited
point guard skills. The difference may be that Ager can play without the ball and create offensive opportunities without the
ball in his hand. However, Ager is just as good with the ball in his hands. The Knicks are looking for almost any help they can
get. Ager gives them a solid defensive player and a great scorer if not more of a logjam. New York may end up just picking the
best player available and hope it works out.
21. Phoenix Suns (from Atlanta via Boston via Los Angeles Lakers) - Jordan
Farmar (UCLA): the Suns have to be looking to add depth in this year's draft and must find a suitable bench player with their
picks in this year's draft. Like the Suns, they will probably be looking more for players that will fit into their system more
than traditional needs. Meaning, they'll probably take the best scorer available. Farmar is a great point guard and I think
would work well with the Suns. He was a great point guard leading UCLA to the NCAA Championship game and picks his spots well.
He would make a good backup to Steve Nash and running mate to Raja Bell off the bench. Phoenix has to find a way to replace
their stars and get some depth if they are to make a serious run for an NBA title in 2007.
22. New Jersey Nets (from Denver via Orlando via Los Angeles Clippers) -
Thabo Sefolosha (Switzerland): the Nets have two straight picks. They'd like to use one on a center, but with Pittsburgh center
Aaron Gray pulling out of the draft, the Nets may have to find other ways to spend the next two picks. Sefolosha is a raw
shooting guard, but he has developed a nice catch and shoot game and plays well in the open court. He is a good passer for
someone at 6-6 and is pretty athletic...at least by Swiss standards. The Nets really turned into a defensive team this season
and need some help getting the score up. They've got to find a way to give
Jason Kidd some options on the fast break and these two picks will be
all about that. Sefolosha could work well with Kidd and
Vince Carter on the fast break as the Nets try to get past the
Miami Heat next season.
23. New Jersey Nets - Rajon Rondo (Kentucky): the Nets are also beginning
to think of their future without Jason Kidd.
Jacque Vaughn is a decent backup, but no replacement. This is truly a
draft with many point guards and the Nets will have their pick even at 23. Rondo is probably the best point guard available.
Rondo knows how to pick his spots and when to shoot the ball and when to pass the ball. He was a great college player, but his
size is coming into question as he enters the NBA. With some years to play behind Kidd, Rondo could become a great backup and
replacement as the Nets move forward.
24. Memphis Grizzlies - Sergio Rodriguez (Spain): the Grizzlies got the
unlucky draw of playing the second best team in the Western Conference as the fifth seed in this year's playoffs. What was
apparent throughout this season was their problems at the point. After Damon Stoudamire went down with a season ending injury,
the Grizzlies struggled to remain the fifth team in the West, fighting with the Clippers for that enviable spot. The Grizzlies
do not expect to have Bobby Jackson back next season and will be in the market for a point guard. Rodriguez is a lively point
guard known for his dazzling passes overseas. He is incredibly quick and can hit jump shots when he has them. He is turnover
prone, but the Grizzlies really need a passing point guard to get their player involved and get them farther in the playoffs.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers - Mardy Collins (Temple): the Cavaliers have
established themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come. However, the Cavaliers are still missing some
pieces to take the next step in the playoffs. One of those was experience, which they've gotten. The Cavaliers are still too
dominated by LeBron's play. Larry Hughes was effective, when he was healthy. Hughes is a great offensive player, but he wasn't
able to show his skill because he was confined by the role of point guard. Cleveland may want to add another combo guard.
Collins can play both guard positions. He brings the toughness and defensive presence that comes with playing in Jon Chaney's
Temple program. Collins isn't a scorer, but Cleveland isn't worried about putting points on the board. Collins could be a late
round steal by Cleveland if they can use him properly.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (from Miami) - Kyle Lowry (Villanova): the Lakers
were disappointed by their failures in the playoffs, but they should be excited by what the future may hold.
Kobe Bryant played like an elite player. Lamar Odom showed flashes
of being a Scottie Pippen point forward. Even Kwame Brown showed flashes of being the number one pick. The Lakers are a long
way away from being a force in the West, but Kobe makes things interesting. The Lakers need a real point guard to lead them
and distribute the ball. Smush Parker is nothing more than a spot-up shooter who dishes the ball to Kobe. Lowry was a great
scorer at Villanova and a great defender, something the Lakers were desperately lacking all season. Lowry has to improve his
jumper to be a force in the NBA, but would be a good distributor to get this young Lakers team going in the right direction.
27. Phoenix Suns - Josh Boone (Connecticut): the Suns unique playing style
has pushed them to two straight Western Conference Finals, but their unique lineups have hurt them in each series. The Suns
have to continue amassing players that fit the traditional mold for a starting lineup. The return of Amare Stoudemire at
center will help Phoenix enormously. However, the Suns still need help down low, especially on the boards. Boone was a great
rebounder and offensive threat at Connecticut. Boone was also a superb low post defender. What should make him work in the
Phoenix system is his ability to get out on the break. He will score most of his points on put-backs and dunks, but that would
be all Phoenix asked of him offensively. The Suns need a defensive energizer if they are to compete for a title in 2007.
28. Dallas Mavericks - P.J. Tucker (Texas): the Mavericks have shown in
this Finals series that they have depth, but it is not really that deep. Jerry Stackhouse and Erick Dampier have been
effective in the Finals, Adrian Griffin and Keith Van Horn, two key players in the Phoenix series, have not. Not to mention the
poor job the Mavericks have done on Dwayne Wade. The Mavericks should look for a perimeter defender who can fit into their
system with this pick. Tucker is a great driver and scorer, plus adds that tough perimeter defense Dallas is lacking right
now in the Finals. Tucker has shown an ability to get out on the open court and score, something that Dallas requires to play.
The Mavericks have been able to find gems late in the first round - see Josh Howard.
29. New York Knicks (from San Antonio) - Louis Amundson (UNLV): the Knicks
are again haplessly floating around in nothing. Anything they can get will help them. Amundson is the kind of player every
team needs. He is a hustling small forward who plays bigger than he is. He is a great defensive player and rebounder and
provides energy. For a team with so much ego and frustration, an energy player can push everyone around them to play at a
higher level. The only thing against Amundson is his raw offensive abilities. But, he probably wouldn't be seeing much of the
ball anyway on offense.
30. Portland Trail Blazers (from Utah via Detroit) - Marcus Vinicius
(Brazil): the Blazers as well will need about everything to improve themselves for next season. Vinicius is also a foreign big
man who focuses his game on the perimeter. He can do almost anything offensively, including hit the three and he runs the
floor very well. His defense needs improvement. But Portland needs to take anything they can with the picks they have.
