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6th June, 2007 - 7:47 pm
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| Current Features |
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TEAM RANKINGS: NBA Team Rankings For The Week Of November 4th
Kevin Garnett is back, Rajon Rondo is signed, Rasheed Wallace has arrived and Paul Pierce is as bad as ever. The Celtics are very, very easily ranked first in our first rankings of the 09-10 season. How do the other 29 teams compare?
SCOOP DU JOUR: Statistical Analysis Board, Rondo, Yankees On The Verge & More
Rajon Rondo's surprising extension, RealGM's new forum, locker room wresting, Brandon Jennings and more.
STANDING 10: PER Makes Offseason Decisions By Detroit Look Odd
The Pistons had a positive net PER at three positions during the 08-09 season, which were the three positions Joe Dumars attempted to improve in free agency and the draft.
LOCKER TALK: Nash, Cleveland, & Orlando
Steve Nash could draw trade interest this summer and Cleveland isn’t overlooking Orlando…
PLAYER RANKINGS: The Final NBA Player Rankings For The 2008-09 Season
The 2008-09 season is in the books and how did players rank individually?
CLASSICS: Hakeem Vs. Ewing: Who Was The Better Center?
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 Christopher Reina
Center. Ohio State
The Trail Blazers appear to be setting in very comfortably with the thought of Oden in red and black. Only an act of God stands in the way of Oden being in Oregon for the next 10 seasons. There will undoubtedly be another push for Mike Conley to join him though the Hawks have poured cold water on a possible trade for the time being.
Small Forward. Texas
The Sonics of course didn’t blink when they saw Durant’s testing results, but I think the projections of year one for the Texas star have correctly been adjusted. To expect a player at his position to walk right into the NBA and immediately dominate like LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony did in their rookie seasons is to gravely underestimate the physicality of the game, even under the rule changes that have come about over the past ten years. Both of those players were tremendously advanced on a physical level and on a skill level. Durant is more advanced than they were at the same age on that skill level, but it will be largely negated.
Largely negated still should result in 14 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Point Guard. Ohio State
The only reason why Atlanta would pass on Conley would be if they feel the difference between him and an Acie Law or Javaris Crittenton is narrower than it is between a Brandan Wright and a Thaddeus Young.
I believe Conley is far too special to pass on, as much for the intangibles as it is for his remarkable athleticism (40.5 inch vertical and the quickest sprinter in the draft).
Power Forward. Florida
We already knew he was one of the strongest players in the draft (20 bench rep), but Horford’s without shoes height, as well as his vertical, make him appear to be the automatic pick by Memphis. With the uber-athletic frontcourt players already on the roster, Horford fills a need between Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay. His upside also merits comparison to other players still on the board though I am slightly less bullish.
Power Forward. North Carolina
Danny Ainge can rest easy if Wright slides to the fifth slot because he fills their most pressing need and is also the third best player in the draft. Al Jefferson had a breakout season and the very long Wright will be the perfect complement down low. Life in the NBA will resemble his one year playing beside Tyler Hansbrough for North Carolina.
Small Forward. Florida
Similar to the Grizzlies with Horford and the Celtics with Wright, Brewer would be my recommendation for the Bucks if they were picking third. Both Horford and Wright overlap with Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva and Brewer is as sure of a bet as any. He will instantly become their best perimeter defender and his offensive game will develop nicely alongside the underrated scorers they already have on their roster.
Power Forward. Florida
There is no doubt Minnesota will go big here and though Horford would be the preferred choice, Noah would be a very nice fit for the club and would be an instant contributor. His evaluation has been improving for several weeks and his 37.5 inch vertical will rightfully cement him as a top-ten pick.
Small Forward. Georgetown
Green appears to be wavering on whether or not he will remain in the draft, possibly because he could see himself freefall if he isn’t selected here by Charlotte, similar to the Danny Granger freefall of 2005 since so many of the remaining teams in the lottery are set at the small forward position.
The Bobcats could gamble here, but their history and more importantly, their need, say Green will be the choice. He is nearly 6-10, with a 38 inch vertical and is also one of the stronger players in the draft, especially for someone so skilled.
Power Forward. China
I believe the Bulls would prefer Noah over Yi with this selection because of the way each player could fit with the current roster, but taking home a player that has proven himself in international competition would be a nice score for the franchise.
Center. Washington
Sacramento is a long ways away from competing again and is a perfect place for the skilled center from Washington. As evidenced by his Pre-Draft Camp Testing, he is a solid 7-feet and is stronger and slightly more athletic than expected.
Small Forward. Georgia Tech
Young has the potential to be a tremendous scorer in the NBA, something Atlanta shouldn’t be expecting from Marvin Williams or Josh Childress. This pick and not the third one, will be where the Hawks shake-up their current roster.
Shooting Guard. USC
Everyone knew Young was athletic and the Sixers already have superb athletes on the wing, but his skill set matches his 40.5 vertical.
Small Forward. Kansas
I’ve always had Wright outside of the top-ten and had a tough time leaving him in New Orleans following the Pre-Draft Camp results. I had the over/under on his bench press number to be about 12; to see him you’d think double-digits would be a lock. He already is running at a horrible disadvantage with his perimeter shot and I perceived his physical strength as the reason why he should be a lottery pick.
Point Guard. Texas A&M
Law is taller and stronger than I would have expected. There was never any question that he has the skill set to be a starting NBA guard and he will be an absolute gift for Mike Dunleavy. They need him now and is nearly a guarantee to be a first team All-Rookie selection.
Combo Forward. Florida State
The Pistons will likely see a fairly significant shakeup in their roster and Thornton will have the athleticism (41 inch vertical) to play multiple positions and play them immediately.
Shooting Guard. Spain
Fernandez could still take Julian Wright or either Young’s position in the lottery, but this middle of the road projection makes as much sense as the previous mock.
Power Forward. Colorado State
This is where Smith was placed in the last mock and the testing (37.5 vertical, hair under 7-feet) guaranteed he will indeed be drafted in this section of the draft.
Power Forward. BC
Don Nelson and Chris Mullin have no problems bringing in players with a past and Williams’ past does include being a jaw-dropping shot blocker. No player outside of Oden and Durant would be better for the Warriors than Williams.
Shooting Guard. Arizona
Indiana doesn’t have a first round selection and it is reasonable to assume that the Lakers will be drafting on their behalf.
Point Guard. Georgia Tech
Crittenton has nice height (nearly 6’5”) and a great vertical (38 inches) to go with a very advanced game for a point guard at his age. This pick is identical to the previous mock and the only thing that will change this is if he already off the board before Miami is ready to select.
Power Forward. Duke
The Sixers need a power forward who can score and they will find it with McRoberts. His stock appears to be reversing now that he is even further away from his disappointing sophomore season with Duke. He warrants looks from teams like New Jersey, Washington and even Sacramento with the 10th pick.
Shooting Guard. Eastern Washington
In my estimation, the true depth of this draft is more visible in the 20’s than it is in the teens and Stuckey is a classic example. His ability to play either position will allow him to not only backup Raymond Felton, but also to play beside him, which would make for one of the quickest backcourts in the game.
Shooting Guard. Italy
Isiah Thomas purposely likes to keep people guess on what he is thinking come draft time, but as it is every season, this will be the highlight for those in attendance. He has been conspicuous in saying that he already has his first round pick (Randolph Morris) and I actually believe him. If I were to asked to pick on his behalf, I would take Belinelli.
Power Forward. Brazil
DeVon Hardin would have the most immediate impact out of the remaining players, but Splitter is a gamble that fits Phoenix too nicely to pass up.
Shooting Guard. Rice
Almond seems like a natural fit for Jerry Sloan and he can clearly shoot it better than A.K.
Center. California
Hardin appears fairly resigned to returning to Berkeley for his senior season, but if did commit to the NBA now, I couldn’t see him falling beyond this point in the draft. Hardin would be the perfect power forward to play beside the new and improved and more versatile Yao.
Shooting Guard. UCLA
As Rip Hamilton puts more and more miles on his body, they will eventually need another wing who can score and they get one here that can also defend the way they are accustomed to.
Point Guard. Florida
The Spurs could clearly use a young point guard to back up Tony Parker and Green would be an ideal fit, who would not be much of a drop off at all.
Shooting Guard. Ohio State
It will be interesting to see how Steve Kerr’s fingerprints will become visible for this franchise.
Guard/Forward. Vanderbilt
The Sixers need to be looking at players who know how to score at every turn since they haven't looked for that since the mid-90's. Byars is as good of a scorer for a borderline second rounder as there has ever been in an NBA Draft.
Second Round
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Power Forward. Nevada
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Center. Pittsburgh
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Small Forward. Wisconsin
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Center. Wake Forest
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Combo Guard. USC
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Point Guard. Oregon
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Small Forward. North Carolina
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Point Guard. Fullerton
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Point Guard. Marquette
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Power Forward. Alabama
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Shooting Guard. Iowa
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Shooting Guard. Ohio State
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Small Forward. Syracuse
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Center. LSU
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Center. Spain
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Small Forward. Boston College
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Center. KK Zagreb
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Point Guard. Virginia
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Small Forward. DePaul
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Power Forward. Arizona
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Power Forward. Providence
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Shooting Guard. Maryland
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Power Forward. France
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Small Forward. Fresno State
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Power Forward. Purdue
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Shooting Guard. Croatia
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Power Forward. Virginia State
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Shooting Guard. China
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Point Guard. Arizona
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Combo Guard. Virginia
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