NBA Mock Draft
June 26 , 2007
| By Mike Santa Barbara
| 
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NBA Mock Draft
No Surprises Oden and Durant Go 1 and 2; Thornton, Stuckey, and Big Baby to the 76ers
On June 28th the NBA will hold it’s annual draft in New York. Besides a few wild-cards here and there the top 10 picks are mostly set it’s just a matter of seeing what order these players go in. It stands true with the first pick belonging to the Portland Trailblazers along with the second pick belonging to the Seattle Supersonics. Greg Oden from Ohio State and Kevin Durant from Texas will be 1 and 2. Now here’s how the rest of this NBA draft will shake down:
#1 Portland Trailblazers- Greg Oden C Ohio State
Highly regarded as the number 1 pick since he entered the NBA draft Oden comes into the NBA with only one year of college under his belt. It was an impressive year Oden played mainly with his left hand after wrist surgery before the season. Oden has lots of power and strength down low and some raw ability when it comes to posting up. Some say that when Oden is fully healthy and able to use both hands confidently, he could be as dominant of a center we've seen in a long time.
#2 Seattle Supersonics- Kevin Durant F Texas
In an NBA draft without Greg Oden, Kevin Durant is most definitely a number 1 pick, but he’ll have to settle for number 2. Though, Durant could end up being the best player to come out of this draft class when all is said and done, his size is underrated as he plays like a guard who can create his own shot. His speed and explosiveness to the basket give him the ability to take over a game at the NBA level. Durant is good at both ends of the court as well, and he was able to assert himself as a solid rebounder and shot-blocker at Texas.
#3 Atlanta Hawks- Mike Conley Jr. G Ohio State
Part of the dynamic duo at Ohio State Mike Conley Jr. also left college like Greg Oden for the NBA draft. And the Hawks should be glad to take him. There has been some speculation that the Hawks are going to select Al Horford or Brandan Wright with the 3rd pick. However, The Hawks need a point guard and Conley Jr. would be a great fit. As young and inexperienced as he is you would expect Conley Jr. to be very raw. Not the case, Conley Jr. makes great decisions on the court and is able to get his teammates involved putting them in the best possible positions to succeed. Conley Jr. can score the basketball as well as he was a very effective penetration guard in college.
#4 Memphis Grizzlies- Al Horford F Florida
The first non-freshman drafted will be Florida’s Al Horford. Horford is suprisingly very athletic for his size, as you would expect him to be awkward and unbalanced. He also has speed for a big man, can get up and down the floor fairly easy, and doesn’t seem to tire late in games. Dominant defensively and a great rebounder. Horford should be a great addition for Memphis, as he could become a pretty good power forward in the NBA
#5 Boston Celtics- Yi Jianlian F China
Out of China comes the next overseas product to join the NBA in Yi Jianlian. Good power forward skills as he’s able to jump out of his shoes if need be. Very athletic with good offensive skills from the low post, compared to Dallas Maverick and NBA MVP Dirk Nowitzki. A problem seen by scouts in the past from Yi Jianlian as in many overseas players was that he didn’t seem to be physical enough for NBA play, But the word is he’s worked on it during the summer.
#6 Milwaukee Bucks- Brandan Wright F North Carolina
Brandan Wright after a good freshman season at North Carolina and entered the NBA draft as a potential top 10 pick. Another player selected early in this draft that is wise beyond his years. Wright showed the discipline to take good shots while concentrating on playing good defense as well. Wright led North Carolina in shooting percentage and shot blocks. He’s a very versatile player who should be a solid power forward for the Bucks
#7 Minnesota Timberwolves- Corey Brewer
Corey Brewer may be one of the best defensive players drafted in the top 10. Brewer showed during his college career at Florida that he could play great defense at the forward position even while being undersized against some opponents. In the last two seasons he has greatly improved his offensive game while running the floor well and improving his shooting range.
#8 Charlotte Bobcats- Spencer Hawes C Washington
Another agile big man is Spencer Hawes from Washington. Hawes should give the Bobcats another option down low as Hawes is a great offensive player under the boards. Hawes has great skills underneath as his high shooting percentage will draw defenders out so he can more easily post them up down low. Once Hawes has the ball he rarely makes bad decisions by forcing bad shots.
#9 Chicago Bulls- Jeff Green F Georgetown
Great inside player Jeff Green asserts himself underneath the boards on both sides of the floor. For a forward Green passes the ball with the best of them and also moves well without the ball to help set up his teammates. Green’s stock has fallen a bit due to his versatility, as many believe he doesn’t have a strong side of his game, when in reality he’s strong all around. Jeff Green is a great defensive player, has a great shot, is a great teammate, and an all around great player.
#10 Sacramento Kings- Julian Wright F Kansas
Another good scoring and defensive forward is Julian Wright. The difference between Wright and some other forwards drafted is Wright has more versatility. Which can be seen as a good thing but many scouts have said they aren’t sure where Wright would play and once the decision is made it will take some time to teach him his position. Wright is very raw but his athleticism helps him run the floor well, with great defensive skills that could be good if given time to develop.
#11 Atlanta Hawks- Joakim Noah F/C Florida
Another Florida guy Joakim Noah is very out spoken and seems to show up big in big games. Noah can play either forward or center and is pretty versatile playing well at both ends of the court. One of few players that can manage his own game by the tempo, meaning he can play any type of game fast paced or slow and methodical. Plays the game with a lot of passion can become a solid NBA player.
#12 Philadelphia 76ers- Al Thornton F Florida State
Very confident player, very agile for his size at 6”8. Has a very versatile offensive game can play in the low post but also can take defenders off the dribble. If left open he’s got the confidence to knock down outside jump shots. Can become a dominant low post player but needs to work on his defensive skills to keep up with NBA caliber players but should do fine. Thornton’s offensive game is his big plus he could become a good low post scorer in the NBA.
#13 New Orleans Hornets- Acie Law G Texas A&M
As the second best point guard in the draft Acie Law is not that much of a drop off from Mike Conley Jr. He’s a bit lanky for a point guard but he’ll grow into his 6”3 frame. Like Conley Jr. Law is a floor general however is a bit better with the ball Law can move to either side of the court and make things happen getting teammates involved. Used his body control well in college, once he bulks up a bit he could be a very good point guard in the NBA
#14 Los Angeles Lakers- Nick Young G/F USC
Fast agile player, real good off the dribble. At 6”6 he could be a mismatch for teams at the forward position with a quick first step he can get to the basket with ease. Along with his good range from outside and speed makes him double the danger and double the headache for opposing coaches. Could be a good sixth man creating mismatches at guard and forward.
#15 Detroit Pistons- Javaris Crittenton G Georgia Tech
Great Defensive player is able to get steals without taking too many chances. Makes good decisions, gets teammates involved, and with his quickness can penetrate well and score the basketball. Has a great jump shot, deadly from almost any range. At his size he could use his body to gain some control and become a double threat point guard.
#16 Washington Wizards- Thaddeus Young F Georgia Tech
Another very athletic forward at 6”8 Thaddeus Young still has some grooming to do. Young has proved that he can defend a number of different style players in college. Young can defend outside jump shooters and bruising post up players as well. He is also a shooting threat he has great range from beyond the arc and can score inside, although until he gets his 6”8 220 frame a little more solid he may have trouble in the NBA at first. All in all still a good player with loads of potential.
#17 New Jersey Nets- Jason Smith F/C Colorado State
Very smart player at 7”0 he can play inside and out. Has a nice mid-range jump shot and can play some pretty good defense although he may have some trouble in the NBA at first. Should not take him long to grasp the NBA game however, Smith is a very heady player and should pick things up relatively quickly. Could be a good change of pace player off the bench his first couple seasons.
#18 Golden State Warriors- Josh McRoberts F Duke
Yet another smart athletic forward in Josh McRoberts from Duke. McRoberts is the typical Duke style player who is great at the fundamentals of the game along with some raw talent. McRoberts has a good mid-range shot and can also play in the low post and can rebound with the best of them. Became a great defender playing in the Duke system how that translates to the NBA game remains to be seen.
#19 Los Angeles Lakers- Tiago Splitter F Brazil
The second best overseas player drafted will be Brazilian Tiago Splitter. Splitter is a nice sleeper pick in this draft as he has already played at the international level. Should translate well to the NBA game, a good player all around has a nice mid-range jump shot and is an adequate defender. Splitter’s draft stock has fallen because this is the fourth time he’s been scouted for the NBA draft. However, His first time actually in the draft having withdrawn his name the past three drafts to stay in Brazil. He could return to Brazil again after being drafted but convincing him to play in LA shouldn’t be hard.
#20 Miami Heat- Morris Almond G Rice
Almond has a real nice touch from outside, can take his shot in any position and virtually any spot on the court. Could be a good shooting guard in the NBA. Shows a lot of heart moving with out the ball, which helps him to get away from defenders. Has a nose for the ball, as it seems to follow him around the court on both ends.
#21 Philadelphia 76ers- Rodney Stuckey G Eastern Washington
Hard worker with a variety of skills at the guard position. At 6”5 220 Stuckey is remarkably strong who plays equally as well on both ends of the floor. Great assist man and can also be a big scoring threat in his two seasons at Eastern Washington he averaged 24.4 points per game.
#22 Charlotte Bobcats- Rudy Fernandez G Spain
Another overseas player with international experience is Rudy Fernandez from Spain. He’s at typical shooting guard size at 6”5 and a threat offensively from every angle. This guy can post good numbers in a variety of stats. With a little work he could be a triple-double threat. However, Playing in a less physical league overseas he may have trouble adjusting to the NBA game.
#23 New York Knicks- Marco Bellinelli G Italy
This guy is a future floor general in the NBA. Marco Bellinelli has two things down that are needed to succeed in NBA at the guard position; penetration skills and strong fundamentals. Bellinelli has great range from outside, and can really manage a game well. He could be another sleeper and a future overseas dynamo.
#24 Phoenix Suns- Daequan Cook G Ohio State
One of the overlooked young players coming out of Ohio State is Daequan Cook. Cook is a great penetrating guard who can shoot and has some low post ability. Cook was also great from three-point land in college, shouldn’t have trouble stepping back and hitting the NBA three with the same success.
#25 Utah Jazz- Sean Williams F/C Boston College
A defensive specialist with great agility, Williams is a great shot blocker and rebounds the ball efficiently. Williams’ downside in college was his lack of offensive skills; partly this is what has kept him out of the draft until now. Could become a good substitution off the bench for defensive situations while developing his minimal but improving offensive skills.
#26 Houston Rockets- Nick Fazekas F Nevada
Pretty good defensive player in college but may not translate well in the NBA. Great shooter and good offensively all around could develop a good mid-range game. Could come off of most benches in the NBA and be a pretty productive player. With work he could translate his defensive game over to the NBA but not right away.
#27 Detroit Pistons- Derrick Byars G/F Vanderbilt
Shows a high basketball I.Q, very athletic, great on both ends of the floor. Byars could be a very solid player in the NBA he’s already shown a knack for feeling out games well. Knows how to control the tempo of games and has a pretty good shot, could develop a good three-point shot.
#28 San Antonio Spurs- Jared Dudley F Boston College
Spending four seasons at Boston College really helped Dudley’s game and will help him be a 1st round pick. Being able to mold his raw ability early in his college career has helped him to become a solid player. Plays well down low both offensively and defensively also has a good outside shot.
#29 Phoenix Suns- Taureen Green G Florida
Green is a bit of a project with lots of raw ability. He has a very versatile game being able to move the ball at both sides of the court with confidence. Has a great shot as well, but can also use his passing skills to burn you. A good all around player with some work could be a good leader on the court.
#30 Philadelphia 76ers- Glen Davis F LSU
A great low post player who uses his strength, size and speed to post up on defenders or fly by them. He’s a threat at mid-range, which allows him to use his surprising quickness to get around defenders when they come out to contend a shot. Strong, Agile, and quick Davis could be a great addition to the low post for any team.
Contact Mike Santa Barbara at MikeSBPhillyPurge@yahoo.com
