Even though LeBron James is well-intentioned in his hope of the NBA retiring #23, there are so many problems with this notion that it is difficult to find a place to begin.
While the Cetlics remain an easy number one in our rankings, Greg Oden and the Blazers have moved up to the second slot, ahead of Dallas, Miami and the Lakers.
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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by Andrew Perna
The 2009 NBA Draft is just hours away and the picture has shifted drastically since my last consensus was compiled on Tuesday morning.
It's said every June, but this year's draft is truly a mystery. It should make for a fun night in New York City, but the uncertainty has almost everyone involved in the process on edge.
Reina compiles one of the most respected mock drafts on the internet each year, and has updated his 2009 mock more than a dozen times in recent weeks.
I have compiled a consensus NBA mock draft using three of our favorite mocks (in addition to Reina's) -- DraftExpress.com, NBADraft.net and ESPN.com.
I did something very similar in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, and it was a good barometer of how things turned out in late April: Who Soared And Who Plummeted?
We calculate our consensus ranking list differently than most, awarding players with "points" each time they appear in a mock. For example, Chris Reina has Blake Griffin as the first pick in his last mock, which means we'll give the former Oklahoma stud 30 points.
Hasheem Thabeet shows up second, so he'll receive 29 points. Ricky Rubio takes the third spot, meaning he'll earn 28 points ... and so on.
As I did last time, I've graced the mock with some comments!
What Minnesota does with these back-to-back picks is going to vastly alter the remainder of the first round. Going guard-guard would probably have the least effect.
The Pacers need a big man, but Johnson isn't a name I've heard often at the thirteenth slot. I think it would be hard for Larry Bird and David Morway to pass on Jennings if he falls to them.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM's Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com
