2007 NBA Mock Draft
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by user Aok2102
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The ping pong balls have spoken, tears have been shed in Boston, a couple of guys in the Pacific Northwest are celebrating, and David Stern will never be accused of fixing the draft lottery again...now what? With just over a month remaining until the 2007 NBA draft, the time for speculation is upon us. Here's a first attempt at predicting how the first round of the draft will play out.
1. Portland Trailblazers: Greg Oden, C, Ohio State, Freshman, 7'0, 250
The media and fans alike are treating this one like it's a given, endlessly reciting the "never pass on a franchise center" mantra. If you listen to Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard, however, he has made it very clear that he subscribes to the "best player available" school of thought. Still, Oden is most likely going to be the pick here. It's hard not to get excited about a starting five of Oden, Aldridge, Randolph, Roy, and Jack. It's perhaps equally hard to see exactly how all this talent will function together on the floor. Might a Randolph trade be in the offing? Don't be surprised if it happens.
2. Seattle Supersonics: Kevin Durant, SF, Texas, Freshman, 6'10, 220
For my money, the best player in the draft. The only guy available this year with a legitimate chance to come into the league and put up 20 points per game right off the bat, Durant is a no-brainer with the second pick if Oden is taken first. The real question for the Sonics is whether Rashard Lewis will be back to play alongside Durant next year. Oh, and whether or not Durant can save basketball in Seattle before the team leaves for a better market. Fortunately, Durant seems equipped to handle such ridiculous pressure, and might be exactly the guy to save the franchise.
3. Atlanta Hawks: Mike Conley Jr., PG, Ohio State, Freshman, 6'1, 180
Point guards have never been more important in the NBA, and the Hawks are in desperate need of someone to distribute the ball to Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams. Johnson alarmingly led the Hawks in assists this past season, posting just 4.4 dimes per game. Conley is hands down the best point guard in the draft, and has the potential to be one of the best in the league before too long. Is he the third most talented player in the draft? Probably not. Is this a pick the Hawks have to make if they want to be competitive? Yes.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: Brandan Wright, PF, UNC, Freshman, 6'10, 210
The look on Jerry West's face at the draft lottery said it all. Brandan Wright isn't quite Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, but he's not a bad consolation prize. Don't forget that the Grizzlies were a playoff team in the Western Conference just a couple of seasons ago, and a healthy Pau Gasol could have them right back there next season. There's hope in Memphis, even without a top 2 pick.
5. Boston Celtics: Al Horford, PF, Florida, Junior, 6'9, 245
Speaking of looks that said it all, I hope everyone had the chance to catch the reactions of Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers during the lottery. Classic. Honestly, the Celtics deserved what they got for shamelessly tanking games down the stretch. Horford has the potential to be a key component on some very good teams, but he's not a franchise player like Oden and Durant. At least you've got the Sox and Pats, Boston fans.
6. Milwaukee Bucks: Corey Brewer, SF, Florida, Junior, 6'8, 185
Somehow underrated on a team that won back-to-back national championships, Brewer should be able to step right in as a starter. There's no apparent weakness in his game, and his upside may have been a bit overshadowed playing with bigger names like Noah and Horford. Perhaps most importantly, Brewer is ideally suited for the small ball style that is taking over the NBA.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: Julian Wright, SF, UNC, Junior, 6'8, 225
Are we sure that Kevin McHale didn't give this pick up in the Joe Smith debacle? Positive? Wright may have as much upside as any player in this draft not named Oden or Durant. Obviously, the bigger question for the Wolves is whether Kevin Garnett is ever going to be dealt while he still has some value. Knowing McHale, the Wolves are just going to continue on in their mediocrity until KG calls it a career.
8. Charlotte Bobcats: Jeff Green, SF, Georgetown, Junior, 6'8, 235
The Bobcats continue to accumulate highly drafted players, but some wins would be nice. Green doesn't have the panache or mustache of Adam Morrison, but he probably has more talent.
9. Chicago Bulls (from New York Knicks): Yi Jianlian, C, China, 7'0, 242
At this point, Jianlian has to be considered the biggest wildcard in the draft. The next Yao Ming or the AsianNikolas Tskitishvili? Do any of us really have any idea based on the limited video available of this guy? I certainly don't. For the sake of the comedy that is the life of a Knicks fan, I hope the Bulls take Yi and he ends up being the next Shaq.
10. Sacramento Kings: Joakim Noah, PF, Florida, Junior, 6'11, 230
Noah reminds me a little of Carlos Boozer in that he doesn't look that athletic upon first viewing, but he always seems to be a step ahead of the other players on the court anyway. That being said, does anyone else have questions about a guy who is supposed to hustle like no other but could be seen sleepwalking through games for much of his senior season? Turning it on in the end worked in college, but the NBA is a different animal.
11. Atlanta Hawks (from Indiana Pacers): Spencer Hawes, C, Washington, Junior, 6'11, 235
12. Philadelphia 76ers: Al Thornton, PF, Florida State, Senior, 6'8, 220
13. New Orleans Hornets: Thaddeus Young, SF, Georgia Tech, Freshman, 6'8, 217
14. Los Angeles Clippers: Nick Young, SG, USC, Junior, 6'6, 200
15. Detroit Pistons (from Orlando Magic): Acie Law, PG, Texas A&M, Senior, 6'3, 195
16. Washington Wizards: Jason Smith, PF, Colorado State, Junior, 7'0, 240
17. New Jersey Nets: Josh McRoberts, PF, Duke, Sophomore, 6'10, 240
18. Golden State Warriors: Rudy Fernandez, SG, Spain, 6'6, 172
19. Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Rush, SG, Kansas, Sophomore, 6'6, 202
20. Miami Heat: Javaris Crittenton, PG, Georgia Tech, Freshman, 6'5, 195
21. Philadelphia 76ers (from Denver Nuggets): Tiago Splitter, PF, Brazil, 6'11, 240
22. Charlotte Bobcats (from Toronto Raptors): Aaron Gray, C, Pittsburgh, Senior, 7'1, 280
23. New York Knicks (from Chicago Bulls): Derrick Byars, SG, Vanderbilt, Senior, 6'7,225
24. Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland Cavaliers): Marcus Williams, SG, Arizona, Sophomore, 6'7, 207
25. Utah Jazz: Marco Belinelli, SG, Italy, 6'6, 200
26. Houston Rockets: Arron Afflalo, SG, UCLA, Junior, 6'5, 215
27. Detroit Pistons: Daequan Cook, SG, Ohio State, Freshman, 6'5, 210
28. San Antonio Spurs: Gabe Pruitt, PG, USC, Junior, 6'4, 170
29. Phoenix Suns: Alando Tucker, SF, Wisconsin, Senior, 6'5, 210
30. Philadelphia 76ers (from Dallas Mavericks): Rodney Stuckey, PG, Eastern Washington, Sophomore, 6'4, 205
